Blockbuster Mock Trade With Cavs Puts Warriors Over the Top

A fistful of championship rings makes for truly elite company. In the 21st century, only Rob Horry, Kobe Bryant, Ron Harper, Steve Kerr, Derek Fisher, and Tim Duncan have won a fifth ring. Entering the 2024-25 season, only LeBron James and Stephen Curry have a realistic chance of joining that elite group, although neither the Golden State Warriors nor Los Angeles Lakers are expected to go on a deep playoff run.

After losing Klay Thompson, the Warriors are expected to continue their downward spiral into NBA mediocrity, preventing their all-time great point guard from going out on top. However, Golden State could make a blockbuster trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers to not only give them a shot but to make them legitimate title favorites.

The Cavaliers, who have playoff hopes of their own, currently start two traditional centers: Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. Neither are elite floor-spacers, and both do their best work under the rim, so it makes sense that the Cavs would flip one of those big men to better round out their roster.

Allen signed a three-year, $91 million extension this summer, but he is not expected to finish that deal out in Ohio. The Warriors currently have Kevon Looney, Draymond Green, and Trayce Jackson-Davis in their center rotation, but all three of them are better suited as backups or power forwards. With Allen on the trade block, the Warriors could make a deal for the All-Star.

In return, Cleveland could use some wing scoring, especially off the bench. In a recent article for The King James Gospel, Moses Moody was floated as a possible trade target for Cleveland.

"The 22-year-old NBA Champion already has a valuable playoff resume and has proven himself as a solid 3-and-D wing since his rookie campaign," wrote Caleb Crowley. "His innate athleticism, mature attitude, and steady production could make Moody a perfect addition to the Cavaliers' roster."

Moody alone is not enough to pry Allen away from Cleveland, but the Warriors could build a solid trade package. In our proposed mock trade, the Warriors would go all-in on winning a title.

Proposed Deal

Warriors Receive:

• Jarrett Allen

Cavaliers Receive:

• Moses Moody
• Kevon Looney
• Kyle Anderson
• 2026 and 2028 first-round picks

The Cavs get two solid bench wings in Anderson and Moody who can help bolster their second unit on both ends of the floor, and also get a reliable, experienced backup center to play behind Mobley. On top of that, they add two picks to better complement their core down the road.

With Allen, Golden State can trot out a starting five of Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green, and Allen. As if that starting lineup wasn't deadly already, the Dubs can play Buddy Hield, Andrew Wiggins, and De'Anthony Melton off the bench, adding another layer of depth.

With all of those weapons, the Warriors can lean into defense with Podziemski, Allen, Green, and Kuminga, or they can space the floor at an elite level, surrounding Allen down low with Curry, Podz, Kuminga, and Hield.

Related: Warriors' Season Will Be 'Weird' Without Klay Thompson

With Allen on the market, perhaps no team could use an All-Star center more than the Warriors, and they have the type of supporting players the Cavs need.