NBA Trade Deadline 2018: 5 trades to put the Magic back in the Orlando Magic

5. Cleveland Cavaliers

Cleveland gets: Nikola Vucevic, Jonathan Simmons

Orlando gets: Channing Frye (expiring contract), Iman Shumpert, 2018 first-round Pick (from Brooklyn)

Cleveland really needs to make a move to sure up their rotation for the playoffs. Any hopes they have at making another run to the NBA Finals hinge on adding a few key players to their roster. Any hopes they have of retaining LeBron James rely on their ability to make another run to the NBA Finals. And an appearance there might not be enough, they may need to win it all.

The Cavaliers do have one enticing piece they can offer: the Brooklyn Nets 2018 first round draft pick they received from Boston in the Kyrie Irving deal. We’re sure they’d rather send this pick as part of a package to land a star like DeMarcus Cousins or DeAndre Jordan, but if those bigs aren’t available, or the price isn’t right, Vuc and Simmons might have to due.

Vucevic would fill the hole at center for the Cavs, and it’s no secret LeBron tried to recruit Simmons to come to Cleveland this past offseason. This move would kill two birds with one “please-LeBron-please-be-happy-with-us” stone.

The Magic would receive the Brooklyn pick, which the Cavs could throw some high-end protections on to ensure they don’t lose out on a top-three pick in this year’s loaded draft. Channing Frye’s contract would come off the books after this season, while the disappointing Iman Shumpert would need to stick around for another year.

This trade would only really be possible if Cleveland got really desperate, and wasn’t able to reel in one of the big fish in this year’s deadline pond. Orlando should be ready with the offer if it doesn’t look like the Cavs can land one of the bigger name stars. It’s certainly worth a shot.