The Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks could be in business this summer if Giannis Antetokounmpo makes it clear he wants out of the “Cream City.” Luckily for the Cavs, Evan Mobley has more trade value to the Bucks than the likely No. 2 and No. 3 picks in the draft, ex-Rutgers Scarlet Knights basketball stars Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey.
Bill Simmons and Ryan Russillo came to that agreement on the former’s podcast.
“I think I’m done if I’m Cleveland, too. I think I’m doing it. I think it’s a great trade. I guess the question for Cleveland is, do you overreact to what happened in those playoffs? Or do you say, eh! Garland was hurt, and Mobley missed Game 2. The series got away from us, we’re still really good, we won 64 games. Counter would be you could have a team with Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Giannis on it, in a weakened East, and I think you’re immediately the favorites in the East,” Simmons said, per Yahoo Sports.
“I realize like I’m losing the trade on talent out for talent in, and wondering like okay even the best version of Mobley, it’s likely he’s not going to be finishing Top 5 in the MVP race five years in a row. Comparing Mobley to the rest of the potential ‘make-believe’ stuff that we’re doing here, it’s better than Amen Thompson, it’s better than the No. 2 pick or the No. 3 pick,” Russilo said.
Mobley is not collecting star stats yet. Jarrett Allen’s presence in the frontcourt has kept his ceiling low as it pertains to production, at least when trying to justify his being the main piece to return one of the game’s most dominant players.
Allen has been seen as a trade chip who’d eventually be dealt. He may even be necessary to facilitate a Giannis deal.
Even though Mobley isn’t a superstar just yet, he’s at least a sure thing. Harper and Bailey are two major reasons why the 2025 NBA draft class is seen as strong, but dealing a generational talent isn’t to be taken lightly for the front office with said talent in tow.