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The Cleveland Cavaliers did the smart thing. Instead of taking the 29th pick, they moved back five slots to the 34th pick and grabbed a future second-rounder from the Sacramento Kings in the process.
This was a savvy trade because of the financial flexibility this deal provides.
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Every first-round pick comes with a guaranteed contract and salary slot. The 29th pick is slated to earn $3 million this upcoming season, with $6.1 million guaranteed over the next two seasons. Those same guarantees don’t come with second-round selections.
Second-round picks can sign whatever contracts the team and player agree to. They are eligible for the minimum salary ($1.35 million) and can also be signed to two-way contracts that don’t count against the cap. As a result, the Cavs could save $1.65 million if their second-round selection signs a minimum contract.
This matters because the Cavs need to cut costs at every corner. They were the only team above the second apron last season and still are above it. Exceeding that threshold comes with numerous restrictions, including an inability to do sign-and-trades, no access to the midlevel exception, and prohibitions on aggregating contracts in trades. These penalties hinder the Cavs’ ability to upgrade their roster.
Right now, Cleveland is just barely on the wrong side of the second apron, and they will have numerous big decisions to make this summer.
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Dean Wade and Keon Ellis will become unrestricted free agents. Both would be due significant pay raises if they are retained. The Cavs are also expected to re-sign James Harden once he declines his player option for next season. Re-signing these players — particularly Wade — could take them further into the second apron. And if they lose any of them in free agency, they would need to fill those spots with new incoming players.
Every dollar matters for the Cavs. Saving potentially $1.65 million may not seem like much from the outside, but it is a huge deal for the front office. This team needs to get under the second apron, and preferably far below it, this summer if they want to retool their roster. This…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/cavs-trade-grade-cleveland-swaps-043000873.html
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Publish date : 2026-06-24 04:30:00
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