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When Windhorst speaks, the world shall listen; it’s an age-old adage.
ESPN insider Brian Windhorst made an appearance on ESPN Cleveland radio Tuesday to discuss the Cavaliers’ plans — or lack thereof — leading up to the start of NBA free agency on July 1.
“I don’t have a terrific feel for what the Cavs are doing,” Windhorst said. “They’ve kept their information pretty tight. I have some speculation, there’s a couple of … outlandish stuff that I’m not gonna say right now, cause I’d get in trouble. I wish I could tell you more, and I know I shouldn’t tease you.
“But there’s one thing out there that I heard that, well, just look on social media in this last week and see what you see, and start going from there.”
Windhorst was referencing the rumors that the Philadelphia 76ers would be willing to trade forward Tobias Harris, a player who fits a major need for Cleveland, for young star Evan Mobley and center Jarrett Allen, along with a pick – news that certainly would fit the bill of “outlandish stuff.”
However, Windhorst’s comments caused somewhat of an uproar in Cleveland, so he returned to the radio show on Wednesday to clear the air.
“I know what I was referring to but I wasn’t referring to what people are suggesting,” Windhorst said. “First off, the Cavs are not trading Darius Garland, they’re not trading Donovan Mitchell.”
That is a relief for Cavaliers fans everywhere, as the backcourt of Garland and Mitchell led the team to its first 50-win season without LeBron James since the 1992-93 season.
Mitchell, in particular, has been as promised as he averaged 28.3 points, 4.4 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 steals while making the All-NBA second team for the first time in his career, in a season where all indications pointed he’d be playing for the New York Knicks.
While the Knicks rumors are still around due to Mitchell — he’s from the area and constantly being spotted at events around the city — Windhorst put that chatter to bed for the time being.
The one position of need for the Cavaliers is a starting small forward who can shoot the ball from three at a high clip and defend at a high level as well – hence the Tobias Harris rumors.
Harris may not be the player Cleveland goes after due to his exorbitant price tag, but don’t be shocked if the Cavs go after a proven veteran forward in free agency like the Bucks’ Khris Middleton, or look for a trade for a player like O.G. Anunoby from Toronto.
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