Big Nick Dudley
Nick
If I were Cleveland, I would be looking at New Orleans. Take one of those big guys. That, or raid the 76ers.
NBA Offseason
- Thread starter Khalifa
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Richard Blonoff
Make America Rassle Again
I don't blame him. He suffered through a losing season every year of his career during his first contract. He could have bolted to a team worth a damn, but stayed because Dan Gilbert promised to build the team around him if he signed the max extension at the time, then two weeks later Gilbert decides to forget all the BS he pulled when James left for Miami when James decides he wants to come home. Gilbert basically allows James to run the franchise, paying big contracts to guys that LBJ considers friends instead of going after useful pieces. He fires a coach that LBJ doesn't like, hires a pushover who caves to his desires, and then Irving, who signed a five year deal under false pretenses, has to sit and wonder if the team is going to return to being shit whenever James decides that Cleveland isn't doing enough to build a contender and bolts again.
They promised Kyrie the keys to the kingdom and two weeks later they gave the keys back to the very guy who they claimed turned his back on them just a few years before. I wouldn't want to be in Cleveland either.
They promised Kyrie the keys to the kingdom and two weeks later they gave the keys back to the very guy who they claimed turned his back on them just a few years before. I wouldn't want to be in Cleveland either.
George Steele's Barber
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I can't imagine Philly would be interested. NO makes some sense. I think this all works itself out and he stays in Cleveland.
Big Nick Dudley
Nick
Understand what you are saying, but Irving isn't good enough to do it. No way he is even in Lebron's universe.
The 76ers are the number one subscribers to Mark Cuban's, "There's nothing worse than being mediocre," theory. They've sucked so long just so they could start to cobble together a team of young guys that they are going to hold onto for dear life.
Unless the Cavs name a low low price (like perhaps Irving for Fultz, and even that seems borderline ridiculous), I don't see the 76ers getting involved here.
That makes a lot of sense. But on the flip side, he's going to be hard pressed to find a better situation than the one he's in now. I get that his pride has been considerably wounded, but where is he going to go where he gets to play with one of the absolute best players in the league and is basically guaranteed to go to the finals? The only place that comes to mind is San Antonio, and I'm not sure that they have anything to offer the Cavs that doesn't destroy their roster.
Da Prophet
Mid-Card Championship Winner
Kyrie was never going to get credit for anything so long as he played with LeBron. I get it. He's a competitive dude who got his first ring playing shotgun and now wants to be the leader. He's stupid for wanting out of the easiest road to the finals ever but I can understand why he's blind to that.
Big Nick Dudley
Nick
I don't think Philly could say no to an established star with so much young talent. They need some experience.
Faultz for Irving would be an interesting trade. If you're the Cavs it probably wouldn't be enough but I don't see where ese you are going to get a young guy as good as Faultz for Irving. Of course you want to compete now but there was a reason Faultz was a clear number 1 pick this year. If you expect Lebron to leave there is no point in getting Eric Bledsoe or Aldridge (like I've seen some fantasy trades on twitter already). I'd definitely try Boston out as well. Maybe a Irving for Thomas plus pick or something. Not likely from both teams but you'd almost get straight value for Irving that way.
George Steele's Barber
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Irving is a distressed good like Carmelo and KP. Philly doesn't want that. They have to learn what they have in Simmons and Fultz before that take a risk on a headache like Kyrie.
Kyrie to the Knicks makes sense for the Knicks and maybe the Cavs if NY has the assets to trade. The Boston idea sounds reasonable but they are always going to sound reasonable since they have so many assets.
If I'm the Cavs I'm furious that he waited this long to speak up.
Kyrie to the Knicks makes sense for the Knicks and maybe the Cavs if NY has the assets to trade. The Boston idea sounds reasonable but they are always going to sound reasonable since they have so many assets.
If I'm the Cavs I'm furious that he waited this long to speak up.
Fire Marshall Bill
Let me show ya somethin!!!
It's almost as if Kyrie Irving is a true competitor and doesn't want to take the easiest way possible to victory, unlike his teammate.
Oh and Boston, while easily the best suitor, will never get him via trade. They're literally the only competition in the East.
1. Cleveland
2-99
100. Boston
101. Cleveland's locker room janitor
102- The rest of the East.
Yeah Boston would probably be the last team to get a call for Irving but you gotta try assests. The NO idea I like but if I'm NO I also want to see how Cousins and Davis play with some chemistry and an off season. Looking at the teams it's hard to find the right fit for Irving while also the team having enough assests. Detroit have needed a point guard since Mr.Big Shot left though Drummond + Stanley + someone else (or the whole team) isn't enough. Orlando have a shit load of assests and are probably in the we are sick of rebuilding phase. You could get back Payton/Fournier/Herzonjaand see how they go on your roster (yuck). Denver with Jokic and Mislap would be sexy. Would be looking at letting go Harris and Murray though which you would do every day of the week. Dallas are always a play just because it's Mark Cuban.
Big Nick Dudley
Nick
Detroit says no, thank you.
Richard Blonoff
Make America Rassle Again
According to reports, he first mentioned wanting out after the 2016 Finals. I'm not going to argue that Kyrie is on James' level. He isn't. He is however a 4x All-Star in a league stacked with talent at the guard position. He is a talent.
I don't care how hard certain people will argue that LBJ is a great teammate, I just don't think he is. He doesn't have a reputation of being selfish on the court, but he is very entitled. He left Cleveland because D-Wade convinced him to build a super team in Miami. It was easier to compete on that Miami team that what LeBron has prior in Cleveland. Honestly who did he even have in his first run? He was to that Cavs team what Iverson was to the 76ers. The star dragging the team with him. Then, when Wade started to slow down and Bosh's heart issues popped up and seeing that Cleveland had acquired a pile of lottery picks, he hopped back to Cleveland and helped bring Love to town.
I kind of feel bad for Love, maybe it's because he isn't a ball dominant star, maybe it's because he's white, but he is super overlooked. We hear about Kyrie and James, but rarely Love. Then LeBron wants help brought in but the team is already in the 70 million dollar range in luxury tax. They can't afford to give out more than veteran minimum deals. So he wants PG or Butler or even Melo brought in via trade, but who are they supposed to move? Love? It is becoming apparent that he isn't getting his way in Cleveland, so I won't be surprised if he bolts next season for another easy path to the Finals.
And on a related note, I hate the talk about James becoming a front office guy after his playing days are over. Like dude it's fairly clear that your front office skills are that of a 12 year old playing 2K
I don't care how hard certain people will argue that LBJ is a great teammate, I just don't think he is. He doesn't have a reputation of being selfish on the court, but he is very entitled. He left Cleveland because D-Wade convinced him to build a super team in Miami. It was easier to compete on that Miami team that what LeBron has prior in Cleveland. Honestly who did he even have in his first run? He was to that Cavs team what Iverson was to the 76ers. The star dragging the team with him. Then, when Wade started to slow down and Bosh's heart issues popped up and seeing that Cleveland had acquired a pile of lottery picks, he hopped back to Cleveland and helped bring Love to town.
I kind of feel bad for Love, maybe it's because he isn't a ball dominant star, maybe it's because he's white, but he is super overlooked. We hear about Kyrie and James, but rarely Love. Then LeBron wants help brought in but the team is already in the 70 million dollar range in luxury tax. They can't afford to give out more than veteran minimum deals. So he wants PG or Butler or even Melo brought in via trade, but who are they supposed to move? Love? It is becoming apparent that he isn't getting his way in Cleveland, so I won't be surprised if he bolts next season for another easy path to the Finals.
And on a related note, I hate the talk about James becoming a front office guy after his playing days are over. Like dude it's fairly clear that your front office skills are that of a 12 year old playing 2K
Da Prophet
Mid-Card Championship Winner
LeBron will end up owning the Cavs.
Richard Blonoff
Make America Rassle Again
Nah, Gilbert will never sell, because that would be in the best interest of the team. Plus the dude gets way too much joy in sending out his little ******ed son to work his magic and pull in high Lottery picks.
Irving may want a trade but he's not going to go to any of the teams he's listed as his preferred destinations. Unless, of course, the Cavs are willing to take considerably less than he's worth. Like it or not, Irving is a superstar in the NBA. He is one of the best PGs in the league and short of Leonard from the Spurs, Melo and KP from the Knicks, or Towns from the Wolves, I don't see those teams as options. I think he also listed the Heat but if I were the Cavs I wouldn't trade Irving to the Heat for even their top three best players.
Now some people have mentioned NO and that might actually work. Irving for Cousins? That's the only trade that I think NO would even consider. They'd be fools to trade Davis. So where does that leave Irving? Probably stuck on the Cavs unless they accept a trade for, again, considerably less than he's worth.
Now some people have mentioned NO and that might actually work. Irving for Cousins? That's the only trade that I think NO would even consider. They'd be fools to trade Davis. So where does that leave Irving? Probably stuck on the Cavs unless they accept a trade for, again, considerably less than he's worth.
A potential trade scenario is Aldridge (he makes more than Irving), Green, and their 2018 first round pick for Irving and Shumpert. The Cavs have reported interest in both Aldridge and Green, so it's not an impossible scenario for the Spurs.
Cena Is A Punk Rocker
Accidental spam artist
The Cavs would be getting ripped off on that deal. A 30 year old PF, a role player, and a low first rounder.
A11oftheLights
Getting Noticed By Management
But thats what happens when a player puts in a trade request you get jack shit because everyone knows he doesnt want to be there so his value goes down. The only thing that is playing in the cavs favour is that Irving is contracted until the end of the 2018-2019 season.
Could the Cavs do the unthinkable and trade Lebron? He's apparently gone at the end of the season anyway so it might be in their best interests to see if Kyrie would stay if they got rid of Lebron.
Could the Cavs do the unthinkable and trade Lebron? He's apparently gone at the end of the season anyway so it might be in their best interests to see if Kyrie would stay if they got rid of Lebron.
Big Nick Dudley
Nick
If you're 99.99% sure Lebron is leaving (I'm not), trading him would be smart. Just make sure you trade him to the West and milk that team for as much as you can.
George Steele's Barber
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At first I thought this idea was preposterous but then I remembered that the Lakers existed. They could be a good trade partner for LeBron since it is likely they could resign him and they have young, cheap, assets to return. Kyrie could stick around and be the focal point that he wants to be.
This is all fantasy but works well for everyone, especially LeBron since he won't be hated as much for leaving.
Sai the Uganda Guy
Has-been
Pau Gasol reportedly inked a new 3-year deal with the Spurs. As a San An Man, I'm happy in spite of his numbers dropping this past season. I can see him pumping them up this year.
Fire Marshall Bill
Let me show ya somethin!!!
Hey I don't want anyone talking bad about Lebron James. He's obviously the best teammate ever. I mean, who else holds his teams hostage with short term contracts, demands his overrated friends get bad for the team contracts, and then leaves when they don't win? Fucking greatest player ever. That's who.
Yeah, it's not a good look. Lebron wants to win, but you can't make it so guys like Kyrie are pawns. That's not going to fly.
I get the impression that Lebron is way too obsessed with his own legacy.
My above post was edited ^^^^
It's always a problem when players are allowed to have too much power. If they weren't spending so much money on Tristan Thompson and JR Smith(something Lebron wanted), they'd have more flexibility to improve the team this summer....something Lebron also wants.
The fan reaction if Lebron leaves again and leaves Cleveland a mess will be interesting. He delievered them their first championship, which they should always be grateful for. But he might also leave a mess behind.