Cavs Plot Epic Reunion: Former Finals Hero Could Spark Cleveland’s Championship Comeback!
In their pursuit of returning to championship contention not seen since the LeBron James era, the Cleveland Cavaliers are eyeing a potential reunion with a key player from their 2018 Finals run: Jordan Clarkson. According to Sports Illustrated’s Matthew Schmidt, a trade with the Utah Jazz could bring Clarkson back to Cleveland, offering a much-needed scoring boost off the bench.
Schmidt’s proposed trade scenario sees the Cavaliers sending Isaac Okoro to Utah in exchange for Clarkson, who won Sixth Man of the Year in 2021. Schmidt outlined the appeal of bringing Clarkson back into the fold, particularly as a versatile bench scorer who could provide relief for Cleveland’s backcourt stars, Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland.
“Cleveland would add a much-needed scorer off the bench to spell Mitchell or Garland for stretches,” Schmidt wrote in his August 20 story. He also pointed out that despite Clarkson’s inconsistent efficiency—he averaged 17.1 points per game on a true-shooting percentage of 52.1% last season—his ability to create his own shot makes him a valuable asset for the Cavaliers’ second unit.
In addition to his scoring, Clarkson’s facilitation skills were highlighted, as he averaged five assists per game last season, a crucial asset for a Cleveland team that struggled with depth and offensive creation behind their All-Star guards.
Schmidt also noted two key benefits of adding Clarkson: his ability to provide insurance for Garland, who has been injury-prone throughout his career, and Clarkson’s affordability. He is set to earn $14.1 million in 2024-25, with another $14.3 million owed for the 2025-26 season.
While Clarkson would offer a boost for Cleveland, his availability has been a surprise topic in league circles. The Athletic’s Tony Jones recently mentioned that despite the Jazz entering a rebuilding phase, they’ve struggled to find trade partners for Clarkson and other veterans. Jones pointed to the increasing concern over the NBA’s new salary cap rules as a major factor in stifling potential deals.
Still, with Clarkson’s relatively affordable contract and his familiarity with current Cavaliers players Donovan Mitchell and Georges Niang from their time together in Utah, a reunion could be beneficial for both parties. Clarkson is a more seasoned player than he was during Cleveland’s 2018 Finals run, when he struggled to find consistency. He has since evolved into a more reliable playoff performer, and his return could help the Cavaliers as they look to build on last season’s success and push deeper into the postseason.
With the Jazz focused on their rebuild, the door may be open for Cleveland to land Clarkson in what could be a savvy move to fortify their bench and add a proven scorer for another run at championship glory.
