After the Knicks embarrassed the Cavaliers in the conference finals, speculation that Cleveland could be desperate enough to give up Evan Mobley for Giannis Antetokounmpo in a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks peaked. Well, about that. Per Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Cavs aren't expected to make a push for the 31-year-old superstar (subscription required).
While we've previously written about Cleveland's exploratory trade interest in Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo before the in-season trade deadline nearly four months ago, sources say that the Cavaliers should be regarded as unlikely to factor into the trade chase for Antetokounmpo this summer … no matter how high Evan Mobley ranks on the Bucks' wish list for trade returns in a theoretical Giannis deal.
Fischer mentioned the "skepticism" about whether Antetokounmpo would want to sign an extension in Cleveland, and the Cavaliers' reluctance to part with Mobley. He wrote that the 24-year-old is "the sort of player who could offer a legitimate bridge to a successful post-Mitchell future."
Milwaukee asked for Mobley and all of Cleveland's available draft assets before the deadline when talking about a Giannis trade. The Cavaliers didn't want to do that then, and it still doesn't seem like something they want to do this summer, either.
Evan Mobley and Cavs might not be option for Bucks in Giannis trade
Mobley is the kind of young player Milwaukee wants in return for Antetokounmpo. He'd step in and immediately be someone they could build around in their post-Giannis era, setting them on the path they want to go.
He's already established himself as an elite defender in the league (hello, DPOY), but his offense is still several steps behind. It's certainly not to the point where the Bucks should be worried about bringing him in. Mobley has strung together a few solid performances on both ends in the playoffs, like when he had 21 points (7-of-10 from the field), 12 rebounds, six assists, two blocks, and two steals in Cleveland's Game 7 win over Detroit in the semifinals a couple of weeks ago.
It doesn't sound like the Cavaliers are ready to give him up, even if it did mean they'd get Giannis in return. The front office understands that Antetokounmpo may not view Cleveland as an ideal destination, and without that reassurance, a trade could quickly backfire. The same can be said if they lose Mobley.
Mitchell will be eligible to sign an extension with the Cavaliers this summer, and although he said he loves it in Cleveland, there is no guarantee he will hang around. Even if he does re-sign and stays for a couple more years, the team would still need someone to turn to if he left. That's where Mobley comes in.
You can't rule Cleveland out just yet as a Giannis destination, but there could be too many hurdles to clear to make it happen, including moving on from Evan Mobley.
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