Breaking: Cavs (Finally) Complete Kyrie Irving Trade with Celtics
2017-08-30
We waited nine days to find out whether the Cavs/Celtics trade was going to go down or whether the Cavs were going to walk away due to Isaiah Thomas’ hip issue. Turns out that adding a minor piece to the deal was enough to get it done according to this WojBomb.
Boston will send its 2020 second-round pick via Miami to Cavaliers to complete the trade, league sources said. Boston would budge no more.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 31, 2017
The final deal terms will be as such: Cleveland will receive Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, Brooklyn’s 2018 first-round draft pick, Miami’s 2020 second round pick, and a $5 million trade exception.
Personally, I hated the deal nine days ago and I hate it now. Unless the Cavs flip the Brooklyn pick for another guard, Cleveland is done competing for championships unless Isaiah Thomas or Derrick Rose learn how to play defense (and Derrick Rose learns how to shoot). Still, there’s always that possibility, and an outside chance that the Cavs roll through playoff crunchtime with ‘Bron at the point.
I also hated the nine day delay because the Cavs look like a team that is going to jerk you around for 10 days only to eventually cave if you stick to your guns. It looks bad on two fronts and the loss of face was not worth a 2020 second rounder from Miami.
But now, we can finally, formally say goodbye to six year Cavalier, Kyrie Irving, an enigmatic brightspot during LeBron’s exodus. Irving helped fuel one of the greatest comeback in American pro sports history and hit the biggest shot ever in an NBA Finals. He, LeBron, and the rest of that magical 2016 Cavs team propelled Cleveland to its only championship in the last 53 years. We will always remember him for that. Best of luck in the future, Mr. Irving. May you have a long & healthy career as an Eastern Conference runner up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-3l5D0RWjw
Cavs should try to get rid of Shump and try to get Delly back, if they can’t get Bledsoe. Honestly, I think we have a real shot at winning it all if they can get a good defensive point guard.
Guys, just sit back and watch Lebron dominate. This may be his last truly great year. And I think it’s going to be one heck of a year for him.
I tend to agree. I think Lebron decides this is an MVP year instead of a Championship year. Also, if the Cavs meet the Celtics in the playoffs, the Cavs must win. Lebron’s rep is on the line. Great for us fans (as a consolation).
CLEMSON’S BAND JUST DID A ” SCRIPT 31-0 “——–TAKE A PICTURE URBAN — ( EVIL I DON’T THINK URBAN TAKES THAT WITH A GRAIN OF SALT—JUST JOKING WITH YOU )—USE FOR ANY MOTIVATION THAT YOU WANT TO ——HERMAN’S DEBUT AT TEXAS NOT GOING SO WELL TRAILING MARYLAND 30-20
Love to see Shump in a raptors uni.
Love to see Shump in a Euro-Turkey jersey.
I will admit Crowder could be so good for them. You could start him and play Bron at the 1, especially if Cedi comes along quickly. The second unit of Rose, Cedi, Korver, Frye and green / RJ should at least be able to Shoot and provide lanes for rose.
The more I read and think about Crowder in big lineups, the more I like the idea… From Vardon today: Crowder not LeBron’s backup According to a source, the Cavs aren’t looking at Crowder as merely a backup to LeBron James. Crowder, 27, is 6-6 and 235 pounds. He’s known as a gritty wing defender who shot nearly 40 percent from 3-point range last season. Coach Tyronn Lue is working on lineups with James and Crowder on the court together. While James can play any of the five positions on the court, Crowder can guard shooting guards, wings, and power… Read more »
I am totally on board with Crowder. A major part of the trade, particularly with the salary.
Crowder can play. He was also a guy who finished at over 70% at the rim. More than just standing at the line.
Do I detect EG warming a bit to the new look Cavs?
Crowder is good piece. IT needs to be healthy for the majority of the year for this to come out as a good deal for us. Thomas will be in all likelihood a rental after all. I don’t see a fair return out there for the Brooklyn pick, so I would prefer to keep it. However, it may go if IT isn’t healthy and James wants more help or they run the risk of losing LBJ. In other words, Crowder is nice but incidental as one of the two main pieces in this trade. The verdict, or prognosis is still… Read more »
I think LBJ at the 1 especially with IT out is a good thing. LBJ will distribute the ball in a way Kyrie didn’t. Also, he then doesn’t have to tussle in the post on offense.
Also having LBJ at the 1 means you can bring DRose off the bench, which is a far better role for him IMO than starting PG. He can ball hog and score all he wants with the backups… and should be able to shred some backup defenders.
Yep the best pick up for the Cavs. As much as I hated Chowdah, I will enjoy Cavs Crowder.
Pels supposedly interested in Shump…sure wish they had anything at all to trade…also Amico says Shump to Kings for Koufos has been spitballed…I will finish my yummy bowl of paint chips now…
I wonder if they have a trade exception? I would do the Kings trade.
Koufos would be okay, really depends on their plans this year for Zizic…
Pels have nothing and are up against the tax line. Unless they stretch someone, I don’t see it. Koufos would be OK, just to get Shump out of here. What about the Mavs? They could absorb him pretty easily and Cavs could get McRoberts who is six mil on a one year deal. Easy to wave him and supposedly a decent locker room guy. Cavs send that second rounder?
JUST TOSSING OUT THEORY’S GUYS——-ALSO I HATE PAINTING —IF BORED I PREFER TO DRINK —” GET A GRIP ON A NICE TALL COLD ONE “
Lot of sensitivity these days on the C:tB threads NOMAD… take with a grain of salt
On IT, Vardon says he begins rehab in Cleveland on Tue. Will have exam + 1 month of rehab & then we’ll get timeline.
Wonder who will become available with the pick dangling out there as trade bait. Doubtful Cavs trade it but have to listen. I’m all for trading it btw, just think Gilbert wants insurance.
I am all for trading if it is a good deal. I am all for not trading otherwise.
HAVEN’T SEEN / HEARD ANY OF THOSE T.T. RUMORS—-ONLY THING I COULD IMAGINE IS IF T.T. WAS SUPER PISSED AT THE KY TRADING AND WENT TO FRONT OFFICE PRIVATELY — EXPRESSED HIS DISPLEASURE OF THE TRADE AND ALSO WANTED OUT OF CLEVELAND —WHO KNOWS WITH THIS TEAM / ORGANIZATION ANYMORE
You’re letting your imagination go a little too wild; dont waste it on off season rumors, try painting or something :)
NOMAD, get a grip. Did you know LeBron is still on the Cavs? A lot of players like to go to the finals.
CEDI-JEDI—COULD BE A LARGER SCALE DELLY—-YOU WOULD HAVE ANOTHER HERO NATE
Super excited for Cedi again. Guy has a great motor, can handle the ball in the open floor, and has really quick release and nice arc on his J. Most impressive though: defensively, those hands… Every ball he touches defensively he grabs with those glue fingers. I’m so Excited. If. He gets the lateral movement down, he might be able to legit play some two guard. It’s more important than ever to get Shump the eff out of here.
Agree with Nate.
I hope lue plays him. Rookies need pt if they are going to develop.
Good point. But lineups seem to be a weak point for Lue. Last year he gave heavy minutes to DWill2 and Shump, kind of like “I am going to keep playing these guys until they figure it out”. Unfortunately, it never happened.
New trade idea: Shump’s contract plus our own 2018 1st (and possibly that Miami 2020 2nd) to Brooklyn for Jeremy Lin.
-We may need another capable PG if Thomas misses significant time.
-Brooklyn has a recent history of taking on bad contracts for late 1sts (Demare Carroll)
-If we can hurt Brooklyn on-court next year, their 2018 pick could be even better for us.
Brooklyn pick organization loves Lin though. But maybe if they’re struggling near trade deadline. Lin has the same issue as Thomas though. He’s unplayable in the playoffs. He is ridiculous easy to guard as he has one of the worst off-hands for a guard in the NBA. He can’t drive or finish left at all.
I totally agree he’s not ideal for the playoffs. I’m just trying to think of targets we might realistically be able to get with our assets other than the Brooklyn pick, which everyone has already established probably isn’t on the table unless Lebron speaks up. At least Lin has the size to switch on the perimeter… maybe?
For our situation I wouldn’t give up a first for Lin. If we had Kyrie or a quality starting PG, I might consider it.
FWIW, Doncic with 11-8-8 with 1 TO in Slovenia’s win. Goran Dragic led them with 30 pts. Doncic is an 18 year old 6’8″ guard who plays for Real Madrid & projects as a top 5 pick for 2018.
Rumor: Cavs in talks to send TT to Raptors for Valanciunas.
I doubt this is true, but if they do this, I think I’m done for a while.
Setting off a whole new round in the great TT-JV debate! This will be like the Lincoln-Douglas debates before their careers are over.
Like the Lincoln Douglas debate, one guy is clearly better.
^Greatest comment in the history of this blog^
Nate is that a biyamboner in your pocket or are you just excited to debate mediocre centers?
It’s a Bruno Cabacloner
Not as turgid as a Kristaps PorSCHWING!us or a full on Rudy Goberner
I hope not. TT finished last year with his worst performance. Unless the Kardashian curse is permanent, trading him now would be selling low. Besides, I think TT >> JV.
Agree. If Gilbert trades TT because of his Finals performance, it will be a very Steinbrenner-like thing to do.
BTW, Altman is the GM, not Gilbert.
Keep telling yourself that… maybe it’ll wind up being true…
I have no inside information one way or the other. Do you?
I have outside information from multiple sources.
I saw a single tweet on this as well, and I am assuming its a joke. Has to be.
No. It’s BS. Cleveland couldn’t be this dumb.
hmmmmm………
Probably BS, but I do think it’s possible they are this dumb.
And, btw, in the unlikely event this happens, the same people will be defending the Cavs’ FO moves since June. Incredible number of Dan Gilbert fans here.
Can’t stand Gilbert. Trump loving @ss. However, he does spend big on the team and does genuinely seem to want to help revitalize downtown Detroit.
And the moves this year have been fine. Calderon on a min being the worst. It is a min deal. 1 year. We aren’t talking Noah level bad. Or even. Shump level bad.
Who is a Dan Gilbert fan? Being opposed to blaming him for everything in the universe makes you a Gilbert fan? There are some common sense fans here. And they have discovered how it feels to be shouting 2 + 2 = 4 at a Trump rally.
Raoul it saddens me that you voted for Trump!
lol. Of course hey will. “Make the Cavs great again.”
If this was 6 years ago, I could understand. After seeing them both play, no. Unless the Raps want to throw Lowry in.
Cavs are a clickbait item for twits & rumor sites. All lot of Cavs stuff is BS. Stick to Woj, Vardon, Fedor, Ridenour, Mannix, & a couple from the vertical. All the rest is noise.
From my Twitter feed, I see the horrible Juliet Litman has written something for the Ringer titled ‘I like the Boston Kyrie’. Sure you do, considering who signs your checks. She is terrible and knows zip about the NBA, or basketball in general.
Yeah I can’t stand her. She’s Bill Simmons lap dog!
im gonna root for kyrie.
THANKS FOR SHARING “CEDI-JEDI ” HIGHLIGHTS –WE HERE AT CTB NEEDED THAT !!!
Cedi highlights
https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/903722523602296832
WOW… he’s gained much-needed weight. He struggled against physicality when I last saw him play. Looks a little stronger now.
That dribble up, pull up straight on three at :47 in looked a lot like that KD shot in Game 3 of last year’s Finals…
What is the level of competition? He looks like MJ out there. Of course, it is a highlight reel.
The only conclusion to draw is that he is MJ. On a bargain contract, too…
Come on. You’re being ridiculous. Stop exaggerating. He’s Jason Kidd with a jumper.
It’s European national teams, in FIBA’s biannual European championship, which they seem to take fairly seriously. The Zinger is playing, for instance.
Rubio& the Gasols + Fernandez& Hernangomez + others for Spain. Mozgov & Schved for Russia. Fournier & Diaw for France. Goran Dragic (& Doncic) for Slovenia. Schroeder for Germany.
Some big hitters are absent, I think. Giannis for Greece. Parker for France. Dirk.
Russian National team is usually a pretty decent and occasionally good Olympic team.
OSWEILLER WINS THE ” BROWNS VERSION OF POWERBALL” COLLECT A COOL 16 MILLION AND SIT AT HOME …….NEED TO FIND ME A ‘GIG ” LIKE THAT
How much is guaranteed? Hope they aren’t knowingly throwing Keizer to the wolves. Our o line was pretty awful last year.
Pretty sure it’s all guaranteed… that’s why the Texans gave up the second rounder for the Browns to take him off their hands…
The line should be a bright spot in a sea of dark this year
JR is the best!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYg-nn7H_Wf/
MAYBE I MISSED IT —BUT HAS LEBRON ( OR OTHER TEAMMATES ) OFFICIALLY/ TWEETED ” WELCOME ” TO ANY OF THE PLAYERS IN THE TRADE——–MAYBE THE 2020 2ND ROUNDER ?——JUST A LITTLE CONCERNING THAT I HAVEN’T SEEN ANYTHING
The petty part of me wishes Kyrie was sent to Suns or Kings. He would have toiled away into obscurity and had his leadership skills ripped to shreds.
But Kyrie got sent to a great spot, and should thrive. Stevens turns mediocre players into productive ones, he should do well with real players. Man i want to see what LeBron and a vengeful Thomas and Crowder would do to boston in 2018 ECF. Esp considering boston has nobody for Love or Tristan either
He should be a Knick.
I 100% get where you are coming from. However, when Boston underachieves this year, it will be 100% on him, which will be fun.
I don’t know. That’s a lot of guys who want the ball in their hands and they have even less rebounding than they did before.
We will see how Stevens does with a strong willed helicopter parent in the mix.
I concur. The hardest part of this deal for me to swallow is that Kyrie gets to go to the best possible situation for him. As much as I would have dreaded a trade for Melo, a big part of me wanted to see Kyrie go to NY to waste away his career.
LET’S HOPE SO—–7 STEALS —GREAT DEFENSE OR SHABBY BALLHANDLING ?
Love had 6 or 7 in one of the Finals games.
But he’s expendable.
Well… at least Cedi the Jedi might be a bright spot…
https://twitter.com/TomerAzarly/status/903709997669818369
7 Steals?!!
7 Stolis. They were playing the Russians.
HaHaHa. First funny comment all week.
I resent that implication… ;)
From ESPN: “I can’t wait to get on the floor and maximize my potential,” Irving said.
I was worried that he might realize his potential. Instead, he will maximize it, which will make him more of a underachiever.
What an offseason. Had Irving and Gilbert not acted like idiots, we probably could’ve had Paul George and Chris Paul. This became a surprisingly crucial offseason, and it was handled about as bad as possible.
Hey! You are forgetting to blame Gilbert for Hurricane Harvey.
Kyrie at his presser:
“”It was my time to do what was best for me in terms of my intentions, and that’s going after something bigger than myself, and obviously being in an environment that was conducive for my potential,” Irving said. “I think that statement is just self explanatory because it’s pretty direct in terms of what my intent is — it’s to be happy and be with a group of individuals that I can grow with.”
Like, what? Your intention was to go after something bigger than yourself? You mean like.. success as a team, or..?
He’s always talked like that. He’s been coached to say certain things, but because he doesn’t believe them, it always comes out weird. Anytime you see him talking about team, or gratitude, or making improvements in the weak parts of his game, it comes out disjointed. Because he doesn’t believe any of that. He thinks he’s already a great leader and shouldn’t have to sacrifice his game for the team.
Sounds like a stoner trying to sound educated.
Kyrie is smart but is a skeptical slacker who buys too much of his own BS. Plus he’s kind of a self absorbed dick. He’s gonna be hella diva on that team.
Joey B you have nailed it. I always hated listening to his post-games – always disjointed, saying the right things in a weird way and then not doing those things very next game. Disingenuous, and that’s one thing about him I will not miss.
Winner, winner. Chicken dinner to JoeyB. 90% of what comes out of Kyrie’s mouth is drivel.
In the parlance of our times, that is absolutely Trumpian.
I thought the exact same thing.
Unfortunately, this trade was possibly as good as it gets. I love IT as a person, but not as a starter on a championship-caliber team. His defense is too much of an issue in the playoffs. All of the effort in the world won’t make much of a difference because he’ll always be 5’9″ and anyone on GS (or elsewhere) can shoot over him. I wish the Cavs had pushed harder for an additional first round pick and a player like Marcus Smart instead of Zizic/IT. Perhaps, if IT returns to play well, the Cavs can flip him for more… Read more »
All we need is two trades to win the championship:
1. http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=gt4jtqs
2. http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=y8fx9yjr
You have not affected the winning percentage of this team
I would do both of those in a heartbeat. Peanut Butter Delly Time 2.0 and one of the best defensive guard in the NBA, yes please.
You forgot boogie
Boogie on record saying James is one of the last dudes he wants to play with.
And while I’m on a roll am I the only one that thinks the current Boston team with a core of KI, Horford , and Hayward and little else is really just a marginal playoff team in the east?
Any team that can rebound will kill them. Honestly see them losing to Charlotte
Not sure if it will help but I think they plan to sign Bogut.
He should definitely stay healthy… /s
I’m not convinced by their current team composition, but they can always trade for something during the season. It’s basically an entire new team, so it’ll take them a while in any case.
Absolutely…my only point is unless they make some more moves which they definitely have the assets to pull off they really are just a very average team…
Yeah they have a boatload more of first round picks they could pick up someone decent with. Too many to use in the drafts. They will be good. They might have matchup problems in the playoffs but they will be minimally a top 4 eastern team even if they stand pat. If Brown takes a leap, as I think he will, they will challenge for the top seed even without using one of the first rounders for another pice.
piece
And they will find out about the problem child.
They won’t get past round 2. Could lose in round 1 if they get the Bucks.
And another thing…anyone else find it completely immature and TBH chicken$#|+ that KI never once talked to LBJ about any of this? He’s up on the podium acting like he’s grown up and ready to lead but his actions are still those of a kid… I don’t begrudge him wanting to leave and wish him well in Boston, I just get frustrated by “adults” pretending they’re grown ups while acting like children…
KD didn’t talk to Russ. 75% of NBA players act like 8th graders 90% of the time.
I need a spreadsheet to decipher that
A lot of people seem to be pretty freaked about ITs hip but from what I’ve read he’s been managing this injury for years and has been able to play at an all star level with the injury…sounds like the only new issue is the labrum tear which reportedly isn’t that bad and those tend to just take time…also according to what I’ve read if he gets surgery it’s about a 4 month recovery which puts him on the court sometime in January…it seems more than likely he’ll be able to play and play well by mid season…
Also one thing rarely mentioned in the trade offs between KI and IT is the level of toughness and attitude that IT brings…his attitude can be infectious to a team the same way KI’s laziness could be and toughness and attitude is something the Cavs have been missing since Delly left…
I’ll agree with you there.
Kyrie promised to gut it out even if he’s bothered by bed bugs the night before a game.
It’s f’ing surreal seeing Kyrie in another teams’ uniform… What a mess.
He thinks he is too good for the Cavs. I am glad he is gone.
Me too. KI is lazy & selfish. Great talent. But if you are still talking about potential in year 7, you aren’t going to get there.
He’ll continue to be who he is. A lazy ball hog who makes lots of highlight reel plays on offense. When Stevens yells at him, he’ll feel unappreciated & want to leave. If they sign another star he wont like it and leave.
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/903646794843901952
Wonder when the Cavs presser will happen for IT, Crowder, Zizic, the Nets pick and the 2020 Miami pick…
Font forget the seat for $30 million in cap savings.
Oh that’s right… and also the seat for the $5M trade exception too!
Oh wow! Kyrie has indeed changed. He shaved! Must mean he’s going to take defense seriously now.
And a seat for the current all star we didn’t get for trading a mega talent like Irving.
Not sure if I took it out of context but it sounded like Kyrie right now during the press conference made it seem he had conversations with Ainge and the Celtics while he was still a Cavalier
Did he mean before the trade was completed? Cause there were like 9 days in there
I went back and listened to the question asked and his answer and it seems like he was talking about the time between the trade being announced and it being completed.
Maybe the league will fine them a 2020 second round pick… oh wait…
https://twitter.com/cavsnationnet/status/903331829469601792
Forever my fave.
Outback Jesus hahaaajaa
if only
Upgrade update: http://www.cleveland.com/cuyahoga-county/index.ssf/2017/08/cavs_encouraged_by_petition_withdrawal_will_discuss_q_transformation.html#incart_m-rpt-1
I suppose no matter what Gilbert said that truly would ensure he doesn’t move the team. Wonder if those church groups will get some kind of kickback. Now that I have read more about it, the petition sounded like dirty politics. Apparently Cleveland/Cuyahoga county’s share was coming off extra taxes on admissions to sporting or other events at the Q. If that truly was the case, sounds like a no brainer.
How about they use extra admission taxes to fund healthcare , or education, or infrastructure? Basically anything but billionaire professional sports leagues?
A fair point. I am not necessarily for public money funding that type of thing. It seemed less egregious than other deals of that nature because it was coming from willful ticket sales to events. In other words, if people didn’t want to attend events, they won’t necessarily pay the extra tax. At least that was how I understood it.
None of this is to say the hip thing does not bother me. It could go sideways. It could eat up most of the season. But the freakout seems more a reaction to James’ reaction than any medical based opinion (and I question if LeBron would legally be allowed access to it if it existed).
From Jason Lloyd today: In addition to the torn labrum, Thomas is also dealing with a loss of cartilage, arthritis and some inflammation in his hip, along with a couple of other minor issues, one source with knowledge of Thomas’ medical history told The Athletic. “His labral tear isn’t really that bad,” the source said, pointing to the other underlying issues that are complicating matters. Thomas has been dealing with the secondary issues for years now and has still managed to play at an All-Star level. But the doctors in both Boston and Cleveland were unsure of what to make… Read more »
He will not play effective minute for the Cavs this year. Which is probably for the best, because he won’t be able to play effective minutes in the playoffs anyway, even if fully healthy.
Like dropping 53. Or 33 two days after his sister died. Child, please. Get that weak stuff outta here.
And a bone bruise.
No, most of us were plenty concerned about the hip when the trade was first announced…
EG, I was talking about the Cavs organization & the whole putting the trade on hold thing. Not you guys. In response to the post about Lue & Bron cooling on it.
Ah, got it…
Gilbert does not want the team to suck again like it did after James left the first time. His superstar won’t commit long term & his flat earth sidekick wanted out of titile contention so he could out usage Russ all the time instead of just when LeBron is off the court. Why he wanted an all star PG who had a better 82 than Irving & played through his sisters death & the hip in the POs, dropping 53 in the process, on a cheap deal, should not be hard to fathom. Nor is landing a potential top 5… Read more »
Thanks for bringing back logic based comments.
Every commenter has a logic. It just may not be the same one you use
http://pleated-jeans.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Screen-shot-2013-02-12-at-9.40.21-AM.jpg
Between this comment and the “fan boy” rants, you may consider whether your posts have been too personal. Not in the spirit of CtB.
I’m not arguing with you regarding James, but so what? The goal is to win championships, not, to field a team that isn’t quite as crappy as it could be after the window closes.
Agree 100%
I have to say that I’m irritated by Dan Gilbert. What’s the goal if you’re not trying to compete for championships? I get the desire to save money, but leveraging your present for the future when you have a chance to win championships is putting the cart before the horse. That being said, some of this is on LeBron. If he says something as simple as, “as long as there is a commitment to winning and we’re competing for championships, I’m staying” then that would probably be enough. Oh well. It makes for good drama.
You are exactly right. Gilbert is an idiot when it comes to running this franchise. By any objective measure, this was a horrible offseason. Just textbook awful. I mean, think about it: They had a finals team with nearly every player under contract and a stable front office, and he thought to himself, “huh, let’s blow it up.”
Ugh. This trade has me blue. Not even sure I liked Kyrie so much as I just can’t believe how weirdly high some folks are on IT. He’s 28, right? not 24 and on his way into his physical prime. Also, he’s hurt. Like not twisted ankle hurt…he could legitimately be out all season. But worst of all, he is somehow worse than Kyrie Irving on defense, with no choice to just play harder in the playoffs and because the length is there. And worse than worst of all, he is way easier to guard in the playoffs than Kyrie.
Yeah. Don’t confuse what this trade really was, though. It was for the pick and Crowder, not IT. At least, from Altman’s perspective. Gilbert wanted a “name” because he’s an idiot.
At the time we all thought it was a terrible move not to match Delly. Now, if Cavs offered all four of out PGs and Shumpert for Delly, they’d laugh at us.
Frye for Delly trade might work well for both teams.
Delly would be a huge pickup right now, just in the sense that he’s a PG who won’t kill you out there. As long as IT is out, Cavs currently have a lot of PGs who will likely kill you out there…
Yes. I would make that deal in a heartbeat.
BS! Nobody is “weirdly high” on IT. Sane people are hoping for the best. Other people are hoping for the worst. Also, if it is true that LeBron and Lue “have cooled” on IT now that they know he is hurt, they must have been weirdly high on him.
In the above comment, Jason seems weirdly high on IT FWIW…
Not the American Patriot!
https://twitter.com/RealGM/status/903465451270705152
He now has Jason Kidds face on his toilet paper.
Lol.
Only in America do we have the luxury of picking the face on our toilet paper with which to we wipe our butts.
AMERICAN PATRIOT
Looks like we dont need Kevin Love anymore!
So they don’t know if he’ll miss most the year… now this seems pretty relevant:
https://twitter.com/joevardon/status/903403317321232385
Because All Star point guard are just laying around waiting to be signed.
Bill Simmons is gonna Bill Simmons:
https://twitter.com/BillSimmons/status/903378967020711939
Hope Billy ends up writing a 50k word essay down the line on how disastrous this trade was for the Celtics.
Billy is now a “fan-boy”
Now?
While you’re at it You might also want to point out that kyrie can’t guard anyone on the warriors nor could he guard Avery Bradley or any other Celtic for that matter…(btw klay Thompson did bother KI quite a bit on defense but Simmons forgets these kind of things when they don’t fit his Celtic fanboy narrative…)
LeBron James, Tyronn Lue Reportedly ‘Cooled’ on Isaiah Thomas Trade After Exam
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2730813-lebron-james-tyronn-lue-reportedly-cooled-on-isaiah-thomas-trade-after-exam
“Bron, we might not have that little dude until March… March!!”
What’s cooler than being cooled? Cryo-genics…
“Hmmm… that hip don’t look too good… I’ma just chill here…”
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/06/15/11/29A0C20300000578-0-image-a-60_1434365157867.jpg
LeBron James, MD… Ty Lue, DO
“I’ve cooled on IT… hit me with the ice fellas!”
http://www.viralhoops.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/LeBron-James-Ice-Bucket-Challenge.png
DWade: It can’t be that bad Bron…
LBJ: DW… Ain’t gonna lie… me and Ty saw the MRI…
DWade: And?
LBJ: I’ve cooled…
DWade: Hmmm….
LBJ: How fast can you get here bruh?
http://hyperice.com/skin/frontend/rwd/hyperice/images/blog_image_test.jpg
They are texting each other rather than talking.
The above convo could have been texted…
Big Z: How bad did it look?
LBJ: Remember how bad your feet looked early on?
Big Z: Oh wow…
http://media.cleveland.com/lebron_impact/photo/zydrunas-ilgauskas-82455d5508b27e06.jpg
“Yo Kay… looks like you got some PT comin’… I’m just gonna be over here cooling off in chill mode…”
LBJ after seeing the MRI…
http://i.huffpost.com/gen/2202762/images/o-LEBRON-JAMES-facebook.jpg
I heard Bron was colder than a Sprite soda after the exam…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJnpVnZPmwQ
What a coincidence! Everyone at CtB did too! A plausible guess is that Boston offered the best trade (assuming IT was OK). Recall that most observers (outside CtB) were surprised the Cavs got so much. Then we find out they made the offer knowing IT was hurt and is now a big ???. So the Cavs threatened to walk unless they got a lot more. Evidently no other team offered as much as Boston even with hurt IT, so KA had to accept a token white chip draft pick. So, we will see what happens. IT might be pretty good… Read more »
Not everyone.
As cooled as the other side of the pillow…
Was that a Stuart Scott reference?
What else?
Gulp. If anyone remembers my comment the other day that no one should be despondent yet…well this is the type of thing that would cause me to start reevaluating things already. Making sure LBJ isn’t unhappy with the organization should be one of the number one priorities in his contract year. If LBJ is unhappy or lukewarm with the trade already…ooof, that is not a great harbinger. We will see how this plays out. If Gilbert doesn’t want to trade the pick as reported, we probably aren’t going to get all that much help for LBJ during the regular season… Read more »
https://twitter.com/rick_bonnell/status/903355601614508033
No kidding. What a joke. Lets see how Calif HS Sports and later NCAA do with mini LaVar selling $395 signature shoes in 11th grade. Do they have the cajones to take on LaVar?
https://twitter.com/HowardBeck/status/903375738090508288
Pretty much agree with Beck. The question is, will KI grow up an fly right for Ainge and “This Guy”. They seem a lot tougher than Griffin/Altman and Lue were. Will that work? KI didn’t seem to happy with LeBron demanding accountability, so we will see how it goes in Boston.
FWIW(not much): McMenamin’s excellent analysis is that Crowder makes Love expendable.
What? No. That’s insane.
Depends on what they can get back, but I doubt it.
Sure… if you don’t like rebounds…
More good players, more better.
Not Love but might made Frye expendable.
Out: KI, D-Wills, Jonses
In: IT, Rose, Crowder, Green, Calderon + Brklyn 1st + 2020 Miami 2nd.
That is an upgrade. And a much better haul than CP3, Boogie, PG13, or Butler returned. CtB reaction: sadness, frustration, & confusion. Yeesh.
Its possible for both things to be true. It’s not a binary equation. The difference between Kyrie and those guys is the number of years on the contract (or in Paul’s case the ability to opt out) and the relative success of the player and the team. Say what you will, but Kyrie has performed on the highest stage at the highest level. In addition it’s possible for it to be a “great haul” and a deeper team but for us to feel as if it means that the Cavs are incapable of winning a championship with the roster now… Read more »
You and Raoul seem to be experts at telling people how they should feel about things… I hear the Cavs PR Department is hiring…
Too many people here undervaluing IT and overvaluing Kyrie. Kyrie may be better but it’s not by as much as people worry. I can see IT changing the nature of the Cavs offense a bit by drawing more fouls and getting to the line more often. Instead of worrying about poor FT shooting hurting them as a team they might actually become a team that uses the line as a weapon. Imagine IT and KLove shooting a lot of FT’s. IT may not play til later in the season but should be ready for the playoffs and that first unit… Read more »
We still don’t know when most importantly or how Thomas will play coming off a major hip injury. Wilson Chandler ended up having to have surgery, missed an entire season and then wasn’t right for another year with the same injury. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
Too many people are assuming Thomas will play this season.
Fill in the blank: Kyrie Irving will finish _____ in MVP voting this upcoming season.
5th.
Hard to imagine the lazy regular-season Kyrie that we all know finishing high for MVP. It would suck if Kyrie got motivated and played hard — and tried on D — all season.
I mean Thomas was one of the statistically worst defenders in the regular season last year and he finished what like 6th? Most of the press MVP voters are dumb. They look at narrative and form their options based off nebulous perceptions that have little basis in reality. Few of them consider defense. If they did, the voting would look a lot differently. If Irving puts up a monster scoring year and a Boston finishes first or second in the conference he will get votes.
Options=opinions. Sigh, damn autocorrect.
Kyrie will surely test Steven’s ability to coach. Was there any coach in Cleveland who demanded Kyrie played D?
Mike Brown sometimes…
is that why he got fired.
No, he got fired because he was a terrible offensive coach…
defense was a huge problem that year though
So… just straight terrible coach then… ;)
Also receiving votes. Outside the top 10.
9th behind LBJ, Westbrook, KD, Harden, Kawhi, Alphabet, Curry and Wall…
Behind Hayward.
WHAT THE HELL BUCKEYES —-I WAITED ALL DAY FOR SOMETHING TO CHEER ABOUT IN SPORTS !!
At least they’re turning it on in the second half… but yeah, JT, the receivers and the DBs looked weak in the first half…
I thought JT was really weak last year. Not sure what he brings, he is a lousy passer.
Completely agree… would love to see someone else under center after more than two years of JT…
I still don’t understand Kyrie’s request. I don’t think the team handled this well or made a good trade.
http://memecrunch.com/meme/6YQA9/none-of-this-makes-any-sense/image.jpg
Here is an honest question. Should Kyrie’s number be retired? I would say no because he requested to be traded.
Then I think of LeBron. Would LeBron’s number have been retired in Cleveland if he didn’t come back?
I don’t think Kyrie’s number should be retired in Cleveland. I also think that if LeBron stayed in Miami, they would have retired ‘6’ before Cleveland retired ’23’.
I am mad at Kyrie, so my emotion says no. But…..the Cavs retired Nate Thurmond’s number, and although he was a great contributor, he certainly didn’t rise to Kyrie’s level. The trade request makes retiring his jersey down the road very hard.
what if Kyrie rejoins Cavs and retires as a Cav.
Can’t see that ever happening….
Chris Webber with warriors.
Different time… different circumstances
A young Nate T was a VASTLY more dominating player than KI. Don’t forget he took Bowling Green(!) to the final game of the NCAA, but got injured in the semi final, and couldn’t play in the final, so BG lost by the biggest margin in the history of the NCAA. Of course, he only played a half year in Cleveland. But the Cavs should have beat the Celtics in the Playoffs, except two way bad charge calls on Nate fouled him out in the fourth quarter. Also, Jim Chones had a broken foot or something at the time. Cavs… Read more »
Honestly I don’t really care if they do or don’t. Jim Thome has a statue, so why not?
LeBron’s first stint definitely would have been enough to get his number retired – multiple MVPs, trip to the Finals, franchise leader (or near) in many statistical categories, etc
No. It shouldn’t. Give it to IT or Crowder if they want it.
Not sure you can give to a guy who might spend half a season in a Cavs uni…
The future is a long way off.
Probably, but 23 would have been retired eventually. You know they have a statue of Jim Thome at the ballpark. Of course, he certainly left a lot more elegantly.
This is telling about why Gilbert is making the moves he is.
https://theathletic.com/92000/2017/08/31/lloyd-with-kyrie-irving-trade-finally-complete-cavs-emphasizing-future-over-winning-now/
Subscription, but fts has a summary. Basically, Gilbert thinks LBJ is leaving, so the cavs valued the Brooklyn pick perhaps over other deals that would serve next year’s championship run more. FTS in their summary says Gilbert not likely to trade pick without assurance from LBJ of signing next year, which probably means we are rolling the die and hoping for unprecedented luck in the lottery (4 number 1s in 10 years is unheard of). Hope Nick Gilbert is available.
Though technically, if it isn’t rigged some years (not out of the realm of possibility) each lottery is an independent event disconnected from previous ones. So the probability of a certain team landing a number remains the same if they have the same odds every time even if they win 4 in a row. That is correct stats people, right?
Would not be surprizing for the Browns to get #1 four times in 10 years.
Not a lottery though. But yeah they are terrible.
This sucks: I never saw this dark horse coming.
https://twitter.com/WitMiBBall/status/903297336390144000
Koby Altman pulled off the nibble: https://youtu.be/jIeJeSqUWhk
I’m totally sold on this Brooklyn pick for McCollum deal. Want the Blazers to really struggle so we can make this happen.
That would be great. Worry Portland would never do it. Is McCollum a good defender?
I would say he’s average on D…not great, but he tries. He’s so good offensively that he more than makes up for it.
There’s very few good defensive point guards. For a point guard with good offense, average is fine.
I’d do it. Then you’re getting McCullum, IT, Zizik, and Crowder for Kyrie. Gilbert isn’t using that pick, he’s back to hoarding picks and wine colored bow ties.
I like McCollum. I do worry we would be undersized against GS considering it would be a Thomas/McCollum (hopefully?) or Rose/McCollum backcourt. Realistically, I don’t see Portland doing that though.
Where do you guys think Altman will be a GM next after Griffin doesn’t extend him?
The funniest thing will be the same people cheering Gilbert when he doesn’t resign him.
A lineup with LeBron, JR, TT, and Crowder is real switchy. Not as talented offensively though. Would be relying on LeBron’s genius with those four. Who’s the 5th you play?
Kyrie.
How about Melo after he’s bought out?
Korver. Need another shooter. Not great individually but he tries, usually makes the right rotation, and has some length. And led the league in 3PT%.
Or love for the threes and the outlets
It is astounding that the huge mass of Kyrie fan boys on CtB think that KI can demand a trade way late in the off season, and the Cavs should be able to turn him into a bunch of guys that will beat the Warriors. So KA and DG are idiots because they didn’t make a trade that will beat the Warriors. Reality therapy, anyone?
It astonishing that you don’t realize how rare it is for most teams to even make the finals, let alone have a shot at a title, and you should do everything you can to make it easier to win a title NOW. Or we can just go back to praising Gilbert for obtaining draft picks, because we all know his track record with draft picks. But I guess I’m a Kyrie fan boy because I thought they could’ve done better. Ho hum!
Why does it matter if the asset is a player or draft pick? The goal is get the deal with the most valuable assets because assets can then be turned into players. The Brooklyn pick was BY FAR the most valuable piece offered to us for Kyrie. It’s worth more than Brogdon or Middleton or Beldsoe. Plus we also got Crowder, a decent backup center, and option value on IT if he can give us anything. Now, I agree that if all we do is sit on the Brooklyn pick and use it to draft a player next year AFTER… Read more »
You don’t know if the Brooklyn pick is valuable or not. The pick isn’t a guarantee for anything, and based on all reports they plan to keep it SO IT DOESNT HELP THIS YEAR HOT SAUCE!!!!
Why do people keep saying we don’t know if it is valuable? Butler and George were offered for it!
It’s valuable. We could flip it for lots of players that are better than the best player in the other offers we had.
But, again, I am in your camp if we just sit on it. That would piss me off. We need to win NOW.
It’s not that the Cavs should turn him into anything. It’s that they felt they had to trade him at all. They failed to see their leverage. From the beginning, they should have told him “We’ll think about it, but you should prepare to play out the rest of your contract in Cleveland.” Kyrie was not in position to demand a trade. They were so scared of…I don’t know, him being pouty? Holding out for two straight years? They had no reason to trade him for anything other than for something that improved their title odds THIS YEAR, because after… Read more »
He said he would not report. Do you think it would be a good idea to see how long that lasted? Probably a few months, and afterwards who knows what? Refusing to trade him would be the worst possible option.
Yes, I think it would have been a good idea. We’ll never know, however, because they didn’t have the balls to call him on it.
Call his bluff and see what happens. He cares about his brand and endorsements — how would he react if he’s sitting out and getting roundly criticized and his sponsors are calling urging him to get back to work?
I don’t see why you think LeBron would be impressed with a panic trade. LeBron is at least as likely to stay as to leave, but squandering resources is not a good strategy for keeping him. How did Antwan Jamison work out?
Seriously? Nate, EG. This is the kind of stuff I mean when I reference trade haters not being objective. You had to trade him. Try to make James as happy as you can.
Who exactly is a Kyrie fanboy? Cols would fit that definition more than anyone else. If anything, CTB is the opposite of the facile comments and analysis on the fear the sword. Secondly, you can’t say this trade was the best they could have done because we have no idea the truth about iT’s health. AND, hypocritically, just a few days ago, YOU yourself were calling strongly for Gilbert and Altman to push the Celtics for way more given the information that the cavs were worried about IT’s ability to give us most of a season. None of us can… Read more »
Raoul, you accused me earlier in this thread of becoming Colsian in my approach, yet I think you’ve posted some variation of this combo slam on “Kyrie fanboys” and the timeline of Kyrie asking for a trade about 15 odd times now…
Seriously time for you to give it a rest…
QUITE POSSIBY WITH ALL THE HYPE / MEDIA TALK SURROUNDING I.T.’S INJURY IT WILL PREVENT HIS AGENTS FROM DEMAMDING A MAX DEAL NEXT SUMMER/ MAYBE WE CAN GET A STILL VERY GOOD ( MAYBE NOT A STAR ) PLAYER FOR A DECNT PRICE OR DO WE GO ALL IN AND TRY TO LAND CHRIS PAUL
Cavs will probably need to make some more trades. Feels like we still have a lot of guys that probably can’t play against the Warriors. They added Crowder, but took out Kyrie, so we are in a worse position IMO. I still think they need to try and grab Bledsoe or Beverly, if they can. Then you’d have LeBron, Love, TT, Crowder, Bledsoe/Beverly, RJ, Korver, and JR as guys who can play against the Dubs (8 man rotation).
If Dan was willing to go ALL IN and use up all his assets (The Brooklyn Pick, and maybe Osman/Zizik, and the 2nd Rounder), they may be able to get both Beverly and Bledsoe. And I believe that would be enough to beat the Warriors.
Beverly-Bledsoe
JR-Korver-Beverly
LeBron-Crowder-RJ
Love-RJ-LeBron-Crowder
TT-LeBron-Love
Add Zizik after October 21:
http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ya9xsmax
You could even take on Brandon Knights contract:
http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=y7q2nez5
Bev and Bledsoe would give them a chance, still pretty large underdogs. But I do think they’d have as good a chance as anyone else. Whether they’d trade the Nets pick is the question…
The only thing they’re missing is that Kyrie Irving type of scorer, who could go get you a bucket when you need it, but they would be so much better defensively, and have enough guys to throw at KD, Steph, and Klay.
Right, that would actually be a super solid defensive team.
LeBron can get a bucket when you need it.
https://twitter.com/Pchopz_/status/903280552173764608
I don’t know enough about McCollum…
Maybe this means the draft machine is back to working again?
Trade machine… stupid brain!!!!
I would have traded him for Irving straight up without even thinking about it.
If we were to give up the Brooklyn pick, I’d probably hold onto RJ…
http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine
Wrong link Arch.
You can’t save trades for some reason, but it works if you take our RJ and put in Felder/Tavares
Ohmigod. In a heartbeat. What else do we have to give up?
Kay Felder.
https://twitter.com/ClevelandMocks4/status/903319107080151040
AGREE WITH ARCH ON GIVING SIR DOMINIC A 2 WAY DEAL—-IT IS A TOSS UP BETWEEN TAVARES AND FELDER
Lakers fined $500 K for tampering:
https://sports.yahoo.com/sources-lakers-fined-500000-violating-leagues-anti-tampering-rules-regarding-paul-george-171124718.html?src=rss
BS. They should’ve banned them from signing George in 2018
For those who didn’t think Kyrie would say thanks to Cleveland…
http://player.tout.com/KyrieIrving/0dyxgf
And also…
https://twitter.com/NBAcom/status/903311194378964993
https://twitter.com/joevardon/status/903319313599299585
F ! Kyrie. He had the opportunity to play along side the greatest basketball player ever, to learn and build his game while getting the exposure and money and multiple trips to the finals beyond anything he would ever have if not for Lebron. Is Kyrie better than Lillard? Maybe. Is he better than Leonard ?, no, Butler? no I could go on and on, yet he has a ring, his shoe contract and jersey sales far exceed almost everyone in the league including a number of players that are far better than him. He doesn’t care about his teammates,… Read more »
No exactly Strunk and White video there :) Why say something in 30 seconds when you can say it in 4 minutes and a half minutes? But as a Cleveland fan and a KI fan, I appreciate that.
Shoutout to “The Elements of Style”! Strunk & White fans represent!
haha – was reading it yesterday
If I were GM, I probably would have called KI’s bluff. He wasn’t going to sit out. I’m sure things could have been smoothed over – at least a little. And once the Cavs started playing (and winning), perhaps a way forward would have presented itself. Or Cavs could have dealt him later. I worry that they panicked (after saying they weren’t going to panic), and traded KI for damaged goods. Obviously, if IT is healthy this was a pretty good trade. But if IT doesn’t heal, this could be a disaster.