The Cleveland Cavaliers could blow every other Giannis Antetokounmpo trade suitor out of the water if they offer the Milwaukee Bucks Evan Mobley. Per ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the two sides have been in discussions about a deal (Mobley was not mentioned), and while it's far from certain that they get over the finish line, the idea of landing Mobley has to be incredibly enticing to the Bucks.
"The Cavs have talked to the Bucks about Giannis. The Cavs have talked to the Mavs about Anthony Davis," - @WindhorstESPN on Cavs trade talks. https://t.co/Z0a97piJcq pic.twitter.com/gz5DaZJrPH
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) February 3, 2026
Bucks would rightfully demand Mobley from Cleveland
From the beginning, the Milwaukee Bucks have made it clear that they want every single good asset any team interested in Giannis has. In terms of blue-chip, franchise-altering young prospects, there haven't been many enticing options. Miami has Kel'el Ware, who is solid. Golden State has Jonathan Kuminga. Meh. New York doesn't have anyone. The prospects aren't that enticing.
However, if Cleveland throws Mobley on the table, things certainly get interesting. Just 24 years old, Mobley is already an All-Star, Defensive Player of the Year, and All-NBA honoree. If a franchise is on the verge of trading away a superstar, getting a young player like that to kick off the rebuild is one heck of a way to start.
In his fifth NBA season, Mobley is averaging 17.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, four assists (career-high), and two blocks (career-high) per game. Once again, he's just 24 and has barely scratched the surface of his potential. This is someone who could be the best two-way player in the entire NBA in a couple of years if this type of rapid growth continues.
Much like Minnesota, New York, and Miami, the Cavaliers would still likely need to scrounge up some draft capital to get a deal over the finish line. As good as Mobley is, this is Giannis here. He is one of the top three to five players in the world, and if the Milwaukee Bucks don't find an offer that they see as worthy, they have no reason to move him. Interested teams must pay up.
Interestingly, the Cavaliers have also been linked to James Harden in recent hours. Could Cleveland be on the cusp of a mid-season roster overhaul to unite former MVPs? It would be bold, especially given the history between Antetokounmpo and Harden, but there's no doubt that the two would make for some high-energy basketball, especially with Donovan Mitchell also in town.
There's no telling how serious the Cavaliers are here, but if they are, opposing suitors may want to get their Giannis backup plans ready.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.