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Cavaliers ‘Open’ to Trading Multiple All-Stars After Early Playoff Exit: Report

In a major shift from earlier intel, a new report suggests that the Cleveland Cavaliers are apparently receptive to shaking up their roster significantly during the offseason.

After nabbing 2025 All-Star selections for guards Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley; finishing with a solid 64-18 regular season record; and capturing the Eastern Conference's top seed, the Cavaliers found themselves shockingly booted in a brisk, five-game second round playoff series by the No. 4-seeded Indiana Pacers, who are currently one game away from the NBA Finals.

Cleveland.com's Chris Fedor recently revealed on the "Wine and Gold" podcast that the Cavaliers might be more amenable to moving on from two of their "core four" players this summer.

With a maximum rookie-scale contract extension slated to kick in for Mobley next season, Cleveland is set to find itself in the NBA's punitive second luxury tax apron.

"They prefer to keep the core four together and see if they can build around them and find the right pieces around them, and see if there's a viable way to do that, given the limitations that come with being a luxury-tax team and a second-apron team," Fedor said. "In saying that, I think the two untouchables are Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley."

Mobley, still just 23, took a major performative leap this past season. In addition to nabbing his inaugural All-Star appearance, the 6-foot-11 USC product was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year and earned All-NBA and All-Defensive nods.

He's been suiting up at power forward next to Allen at center to form a jumbo-sized frontcourt, but he has thrived in his minutes as a floor-spacing five.

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"I have been getting the sense that the Cavs would be more willing to entertain and at least consider possibilities for Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland than they have in the past," Fedor said. "Now, that all comes down to it's got to be the right deal."

Garland, meanwhile, found a way to effectively coexist alongside Mitchell as a supplemental backcourt ball handler - during the regular season, at least. Garland struggled with a big toe injury throughout the Pacers series.

He missed the series' first two games, both home losses. When he did return, Garland's efficacy was limited.

The long-term fit of Garland and Mitchell, both undersized guards, remains somewhat questionable - especially on defense.

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"Nobody that you're going to get back is going to be Darius in terms of pedigree, in terms of talent," Fedor said. "He's a two-time All-Star for a reason. He's a max-contract player for a reason."

The 25-year-old averaged 20.6 points on .472/.401/.878 shooting splits, 6.7 assists, and 2.9 rebounds while suiting up for 75 healthy contests.

"He's one of the best young point guards in the Eastern Conference for a reason," Fedor added. "So are you going to get that back? No. But can you reconfigure your roster? Can you restructure your salary cap by using Darius and find multiple players?"

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