Grade the Trade: Spurs land Cavaliers star to give Wembanyama help in latest proposal

Laying out the trade

The Cleveland Cavaliers may make sweeping changes to their roster and coaching room this summer, but if Donovan Mitchell signs a long-term extension, they will not look to take a step back but instead push to stay relevant at the top of the Eastern Conference.

That will make it difficult for a rebuilding team like the San Antonio Spurs to put a package together. The Spurs will need to either rope in a third team to reroute some of their draft picks and prospects in exchange for ready-to-win players heading to the Cavaliers or make their offer rich enough that the Cavs feel confident in using those assets for a trade of their own in the near future.

The problem with breaking the bank to trade for Garland is that his value took a hit this past season. He had a down year riddled by injuries and followed it up with a shaky postseason. Should the Spurs push in significant trade capital to take a shot at a player who hasn't yet proven he can elevate his game in the playoffs?

It's a tension that the Spurs will need to hold going into negotiations. Here is a deal that attempts to thread the needle and make everyone in the process happy:

For the Cavaliers, this deal gives them a forward in Keldon Johnson who can start immediately and a prospect in Malaki Branham who they can develop to be a future rotation player. The two first-round picks, one from Atlanta and one from the Spurs themselves, both hold a fair amount of upside, although the Spurs' pick would likely be protected to some extent.

The Cavs could monitor the wing and forward market for a player to bring on board as Mitchell's offensive wingman, connecting Evan Mobley and Mitchell positionally. Those picks could even be attached to Jarrett Allen as part of a deal for a proven player who fits better with the team.

If Cleveland is on board with the value here, should the Spurs pull the trigger?