Trade Idea: Celtics - Cavs

[slightly biased bias fan]

Celtics

Incoming: Evan Mobley, Nae'Qwan Tomlin (cut), Craig Porter Jr (cut)

Outgoing: Paul George, 2028 Clippers 1st round pick, 2031 76ers 1st round pick


Cavaliers

Incoming: Paul George, 2028 Clippers 1st round pick, 2031 76ers 1st round pick

Outgoing: Evan Mobley, Nae'Qwan Tomlin, Craig Porter Jr


- - -

Boston Celtics

White
Scheierman
Tatum
Mobley
Robinson

Prichard
Gonzalez
Walsh
Hauser
Queta

Conley
Harper Jr
Mitchell
Cenac Jr
Garza

[slightly biased bias fan]

I know this trade would not happen, but in saying that, I do think (in theory) there is merit for both teams to be interested in a deal.

Although the Celtics have started strong, we already know that Mazzulla is an expert at over achieving in the regular season. Trading for Mobley would be a true reset. The Celtics could see if Mobley & Robinson work as a tandem, if not, the Celtics would then have the option of flipping Robinson for more assets.

The Cavaliers are currently struggling to score and Mobley seems like his is not suited for how the Cavs are constructed.

Donovan Mitchell is 30 & James Harden is 37. The Cleveland front office has committed big deals to both, they need to be competing for a title now. Paul George offers better scoring, spacing & after this season can restructure his contract to allow the Cavs to add depth where it is needed.

Mitchell
Harden
Watson
George
Allen

Proctor
Merrill
Tyson
Hezonja
Bryant

[slamtheking]

saw the title and knew who the creator was immediately.  I swear you must spend all day on the trade checker trying to work out trades more than you actually follow the C's.

having said that, if this were something you proposed before the season started, I'd probably be on board with it even though I'm not a fan of Mobley because while he's a good player that has an occasional great game, that's all he's shown himself to be so far in his career rather than the stud big man he was projected to be when he was drafted.  That's how little I expected out of PG -- mediocre player when he's actually able to play.

however, now that we've seen PG in action this season and the fact Brad has been clear about want to clear the decks financially with the exception of Tatum in the next 2-3 years, I'm not as onboard with this deal.  PG's play would provide major help for Mitchell as Harden has dropped off a bit and Mobley still struggles to be impactful with any consistency.  Mobley's contracts will continue to grow, worthy of that or not -- just like JB -- whereas PG's will not after next season.  if people here were unhappy with JB's production lacking some consistency, they'd really lose it over Mobley's real lack of consistency and lower rate of occurance of superlative games. 

if this deal was made, I'd be more irritated over Brad adding in 2 prime first rounders and C's not getting anything back but 2 salary fillers that would be expected to be cut.  I just don't get the fascination for Mobley considering he's been a good but not great player during his career.