The NBA offseason continues to be filled with speculation, and one intriguing three-team trade proposal could reshape the outlook for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors, and Phoenix Suns. This deal would give the Cavaliers much-needed depth, provide the Raptors with a franchise-level guard, and solve the Suns’ ongoing point guard problem while allowing them to get younger.
Phoenix Suns Receive: Immanuel Quickley, 2026 Toronto Raptors first-round pick
Toronto Raptors Receive: Darius Garland
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: Dillon Brooks, Ochai Agbaji, Nick Richards
While this proposal looks clean, there is one important restriction that delays its feasibility. Dillon Brooks cannot currently be traded in a package deal with another teammate because two months have not yet passed since his last trade.
His outgoing salary cannot be aggregated with another Houston player to bring in a higher-salaried contract. This restriction expires on September 6, 2025, which means the earliest this deal could be completed would be after that date.
Cavaliers Trade A Star For Depth
The Cavaliers are reportedly open to exploring the idea of breaking up their star backcourt of Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell. In this deal, Cleveland sacrifices Garland but gains three rotation-level players who address multiple needs.
Dillon Brooks, fresh off a season averaging 14.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 42.9% from the field, is best known as a high-volume three-point shooter and pesky point-of-attack defender. His ability to guard elite perimeter players could help ease defensive pressure off Mitchell. Brooks is in year three of his four-year, $86 million deal, making $21.1 million this season.
Nick Richards offers frontcourt reinforcement, averaging 8.9 points and 7.5 rebounds while shooting 56.1% from the field last season. At just $5 million in the final year of his deal, Richards would give Cleveland a reliable backup center minutes behind Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
Ochai Agbaji, who put up 10.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists on strong shooting splits (49.8% FG, 39.9% 3PT), adds wing depth and floor spacing. He is entering the final year of his rookie-scale deal and could play a key bench role after the Cavs recently traded Isaac Okoro.
While losing Garland is no small blow, Cleveland balances its roster and potentially becomes more playoff-ready by adding multiple contributors.
Raptors Landing A Star Guard
For the Raptors, the logic is simple: add a true star to elevate the team’s ceiling. Darius Garland, still just 24, is a two-time All-Star who averaged 20.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists last season on efficient shooting splits (47.2% FG, 40.2% 3PT).
Garland is in year three of his five-year, $197.2 million contract and will make $39.4 million this season. While it’s a hefty commitment, he would give Toronto a true offensive engine they’ve lacked since the departure of Kyle Lowry.
A core of Garland, R.J. Barrett, Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, and Jakob Poeltl would give the Raptors one of the more balanced starting units in the East. With Garland running the show, Toronto could legitimately compete for a deep playoff push.
Suns Solve The Point Guard Problem
The Suns’ lack of a true point guard has been one of the most glaring issues since Chris Paul’s departure. This trade allows them to address it by acquiring Immanuel Quickley.
Quickley averaged 17.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists last season, shooting 42.0% from the field and 37.8% from three. At 26 years old and locked into a five-year, $162.5 million deal, he’s expensive but aligns with Devin Booker’s timeline.
Making $32.5 million this season, Quickley would immediately become the team’s facilitator while also providing secondary scoring and spacing.
For a team trying to move on from the Big 3 window, Quickley’s youth and playmaking could help balance their roster construction.
This Idea Captures What Each Team Has Been Searching For
On paper, this three-team deal checks boxes for everyone. The Cavaliers exchange star power for depth and versatility, the Raptors finally secure a young franchise guard to lead their future, and the Suns find a long-term solution at point guard.
It’s rare that a blockbuster deal feels realistic for all parties, but this proposal has the right blend of talent, contracts, and fit to spark legitimate discussion.
