Where are they going to trade him to that can beat a supporting cast of Kyrie and Love in 2017-18? (Because I don't see Lebron waiving the no-trade for a less competitive situation). And does that team have assets that Cleveland would want in return?
But besides those two questions, realistically, Cleveland isn't going to break up the best team in the Eastern Conference. Why not make another Finals (and earn all the revenue that comes with that and having Lebron as a player on your team for one more year) and give it your best shot?
I agree, he's gone. With the current construction of the Cavs roster and lack of young talent beside Kyrie I think the Cavs have given it their best shot and will only go down from here. Yea they will sleepwalk to the finals but in a year or two that may not be true with the rise of the Celtics. If Lebron knows that Cleveland is done, why not go to the Lakers. He can do his Hollywood thing and play for a good team. The Lakers with, PG, Ingram, and Ball may be more talented than the Cavs by then anyway.
First of all, I think the Cleveland bashing is a little silly. The folks who say they are doomed may be forgetting that they just pretty clearly showed they were the 2nd best team in the entire NBA a few weeks ago -- the only team to take a game off the Warriors and, with some luck, it could have been a much more competitive series. As long as they have Lebron and Kyrie, they've got a better shot than just about everyone else in the NBA.
Ok, want a trade that works? The ESPN Trade Machine says this is feasible.
From Cleveland - Lebron James
From Boston - Al Horford and either Jaylen Brown or Marcus Smart plus any of Boston's fabulous draft picks.
Actually, you could do James for Horford straight up, but no way Cleveland makes that deal. That's why I think you have to sweeten with a solid young player on a favorable contract and one of those high draft picks. I think a front line of Love and Horford would actually be really effective as they both can stretch the floor and are fabulous rebounders. I think Love would become a better player, more like what he was in Minn, if he was not playing with Lebron.
You could also do this deal, though I doubt Cleveland would make this trade.
From Cleveland - Lebron James, Kyrie Irving
From Boston - Isaiah Thomas, Al Horford, Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, and one of those studly draft picks
Actually, if IT agreed to sign an extension with Cleveland, I think the Cavs might consider making that deal.
-Jason "am I insane? Probably. We have not heard enough noise from James about wanting to be dealt for any of this to be possible yet" Evans
Why are you wasting time here when you could be wasting it by listening to the latest episode of the DBR Podcast?
Last edited by kshepinthehouse; 07-14-2017 at 10:12 PM.
WHEN LeBron leaves Cleveland, they will be in trouble. Same can be said for every last team that has ever lost a top 5 all time player.
If LeBron leaves next summer, you try to rebuild around Kyrie and Love. Problem is both guys are likely to opt out of their deals the following summer. Then you are in total rebuild mode in a small market.
Any idea what's going on with the Pelicans and
Quinn, and Frank? Why sign Rondo? Quinn not shown enough?
On that note, anyone have any idea what's going on with Mason Plumlee? We all thought this would be his pay day when he locks up a $12-15/year multi-year contract in his prime. But cap space on other teams are filling up and Denver signed Paul Millsap so I'm not sure what's happening with Plumlee. He is guaranteed $5 million in qualifying offer next year but I think we were all hoping for much for than that.
Adam Himmelsbach
@AdamHimmelsbach
The Celtics are planning to sign rookie forward Semi Ojeleye to a four-year deal, first two years guaranteed, per league source.
Kyle gets BUCKETS!
https://youtu.be/NJWPASQZqLc
Why are you wasting time here when you could be wasting it by listening to the latest episode of the DBR Podcast?
Kyle gets BUCKETS!
https://youtu.be/NJWPASQZqLc
For some reason, the Pelicans view Holiday as shooting guard, so I think their depth chart looks something like this right now:
Rondo, Jackson, Cook
Holiday, Crawford, Toupane
Hill, Moore, Pondexter
Davis, Diallom, ???
Cousins, Ajinca, Asik
I could see Toupane getting cut and perhaps Cunningham being re-signed, so that might be it for them if they cannot move some more of their dead-weight.
Space is filling up pretty fast with not many teams out there that could give him that much money. Playing out the qualifying offer might be smart if Denver is not offering him a solid deal.
Kyle gets BUCKETS!
https://youtu.be/NJWPASQZqLc
Mason is a restricted free agent, so any offer can be matched by Denver. The Nuggets are said to be leaning toward a match and it is interesting that when they were clearing space to make room for the Milsap max deal signing, they did not give up Mason's free agent rights. They clearly value him. I suspect the fact that he is restricted has dried up the market for him a bit, though the truth is that there is not a huge market right now for guys who are poor outside shooters. I agree that playing for the $4.58 mil qualifying offer could be a decent idea for Mason as it would allow him to be a full free agent next year.
I think Mason's combination of rim protection and elite passing would be a really nice fit on the Spurs, who just lost Dedmon to the Hawks and have to think Pau Gasol is on his last legs (and he will only play very limited minutes if he even does decide to play another season). The Spurs have no cap room as they await decision from Gasol ($19.4 mil cap hold) and Manu ($21 mil cap hold). If both of those guys decide to retire, San Antonio will have some room, but if either come back, the Spurs are capped out and they just used their $8 mil exemption on Rudy Gay.
-Jason "Mason and Nerlens Noel are probably the two most promising big men still available as free agents right now" Evans
Why are you wasting time here when you could be wasting it by listening to the latest episode of the DBR Podcast?
Pistons waive Gbinije, only $500,000 of his $1.3 mil 2nd yr contract is guaranteed