Boston Celtics: 1 player to buy low on this offseason from Cavs, Hornets

Boston Celtics trade target from Cleveland Cavaliers: Lauri Markkanen

It’s time that a very sad reality is discussed right now: the Cleveland Cavaliers’ current roster is unsustainable. As much as this writer wanted to see the ‘Monster Island’ Cavs destroy the smaller competition, the roster is simply too imbalanced right now to compete.

Cleveland’s bench produced nine points against the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA Play-in game, and that’s simply inexcusable. The triple-big lineup of Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, and Lauri Markkanen performed well together throughout the season, but the best way to move forward would be to deal one of them.

The Cavaliers should be looking to recuperate on a sign-and-trade for Collin Sexton, but they could approach trade talks for other members of the lineup differently.

Trading someone like Lauri Markkanen, who fits well, but was ultimately not as necessary to winning as others, would be a good first step depending on what they can get back in value. The Boston Celtics could offer someone like Derrick White to even things out, and can even throw in filler players like Aaron Nesmith to further balance out Cleveland’s roster.

If the Cs would be able to get a guy like Markkanen for when Al Horford’s career starts to wind down, there wouldn’t be a steep drop in value at the 4 spot.