Blazers - Cavs

[Blazers GM (Tyler)]

Blazers Receive:
Jabari Smith Jr. (7.19m / 9.08m / RFA)
Cleveland Cavaliers 2026 2nd Round Pick

Cavs Receive:
Jaylen Brown (16.38m / UFA)

• Blazers covering $1.32m in cap this coming season to bring JB to $15.06m

Blazers accept, nice dealing Jon. 

The 10th Circle of Hell is being strapped for cap space in BBall26. This feels like a manageable swing for me to take given the circumstances. I'll take a slight dip in production for the cap space this'll clear up for me + it's fun having a young guy on the squad to root for again. Also clears up a re-sign issue I'd have next summer with JB/Hartenstein

[Cleveland Cavaliers (Jon)]

Cavs accept. Have an open resign spot next year so it helps solve the Brunson/Smith resign issue I was going to have. Took us an hour or so and a lot of other ideas but this works. Thanks Tyler!

[New York Knicks (jsood)]

Approve. I think Blazers does decently well here given his resign issue with Jokic. Bari's fantasy game is probably more fantasy friendly than JB's so he's likely got more upside. Low risk move for Jon though given that Jaylen Brown is 27 and will be relevant for a long time. Now the question is, can Bari take the next step in his game?

[Dallas Mavs (Kyle)]

There was always going to be somebody to bail out Blazers. No upside here for Cavs, Brown is maxed out in this scoring, Jabari isn’t much worse than him now, is cheaper, and is younger. Really puzzling decision all around without even factoring in the lack of leverage applied with the blazers cap context. Obviously not vetoable, but just not even close to a move I would have make. Respect both GMs, hope it works out.

[Orlando Magic GM (Sarge)]

Dude Kyle u just did the same thing and got bailed out giving up muffin Collins for a first. Hat. Approve. Didn’t love it for blazers until I saw that somehow Jabari is already averaging 27. Win for blazers and cavs is obviously trying to compete in a weak east which can’t blame him. Orange juice Mayo.

[Grizzlies GM (Royce)]

Super fun trade, I think it's very even. Cavs going for it which I love to see and Blazers doing what needs to be done to keep Jokic, but not necessarily giving up any upside to do it.

Pass

[San Antonio Spurs (Chris)]

Pass, love this for blazers, basically what Mavs said. I'd rather have jabari regardless of age or contract, factor those elements in and this is a big win for rip city in my book. Jaylen obviously a stud in real life with more secure role/production, but he'll never be more than 30ish in here; not sure jabari will ever "take a leap" either, as he's been more stagnant than one would like to see for a guy of his ability thus far (partly I think cuz of team situation, but still), but it's certainly possible, and his floor is pretty safe and not far off what Brown gives you regardless.

Think Mavs was a little harsher than warranted, not a terrible move for cavs, and avoiding resign issues before they become a real issue and force you into even worse bargaining position is a good idea. One I should more thoroughly take to heart... miss you Deni 😢. Fuck you Chuck 😘