Links to the Present: Continuing Love Edition
2014-07-31
The Kevin Love trade has seemed inevitable for the past two weeks now. ESPN has reported that it is now even more inevitable, as no other teams are involved in talks about obtaining Love. The Bulls don’t have a young cheap possible superstar to offer, and the Warriors still don’t want to give up Klay Thompson in a trade for Love.
Last week, ESPN.com reported that the Bulls had re-emerged as a serious suitor for Love, despite the fact they had a few more trade assets to offer Minnesota before last month’s NBA draft. But sources said this week that Chicago essentially has conceded to the Cavs, knowing it can’t furnish a player with both Wiggins’ superstar potential and his favorable rookie-scale contract.
Fear The Sword writer Mike Mayer took the time to discuss the possible Kevin Love trade with a blogger for the Timberwolves. There were no surprises about how the Wolves blogger felt about losing Love. Here are his thoughts on a Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett trade for Love.
Look, it sucks to lose a superstar, as you know. It’s painful and it just feels like the cycle won’t ever end. The Wolves have been crap for a decade, and ever since Love has emerged, they have failed to build around him properly. They also failed to give him a five year deal, which means he is gone even earlier. The deal for Wiggins and Bennett (which I actually think is going to happen) is not a bad one as these things go, though obviously it pretty much depends on how you feel about Wiggins.
The whole conversation is intriguing because as a Cavs fan you really want to sympathize with the Wolves fan about to lose a superstar. However, if you’re like me, you also want to gloat about having the best player in the game on your team and about looking to add another lovely player in Love. It’s a conflicting time to interact with fans of crappy basketball teams if you’re a Clevelander.
If you believe what the public thinks about the Cavs doing a Kevin Love trade, it’s a great time to be a Cavs fan. In the polls asking about where Kevin Love will play and who benefits from a Love trade the most, the Cavs are the dominant answer.
Brendan Bowers of Stepien Rules has detailed all of the Cavs’ transactions this summer. It’s a handy reference guide for fans, and he has some great commentary. My favorite part is about Alonzo Gee.
I’m not quite sure how the Cavs traded Alonzo Gee on draft night only to trade him again during the second week of July. I’m also not sure how the Cavaliers were able to keep the assets they acquired in the first trade (Dwight Powell and Brendan Haywood from Charlotte) before dealing Gee later to New Orleans.
But truthfully I don’t want to know. I would prefer to believe that David Griffin managed to trade Alonzo Gee
twice without anyone else in the league noticing because it’s just better to remember it all that way.
I’m glad to know I’m not the only one super confused about the Gee Man trade. I also am horrified that Gee, who has been traded to the Rockets as part of the deal for Omer Asik with the Pelicans, is going to become an extremely serviceable player. They made Omri Casspi work. They’re a magical team.
Hopefully, the coaching staff of the Cavs is magical in regards to creating enough shots to go around for the team. Even without the addition of Kevin Love, there are adjustments to be made by Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters in order to play with just LeBron James.
With that in mind, realize that Irving averaged 17.4 shots a game for the Cavs last season and Waiters averaged 14.2 and probably would have preferred more.
LeBron took the lowest amount of shots in his career last season, but he still was taking 17.6 a game. While Luol Deng was on the Cavs, he only took 12.7 shots a game. This won’t be a simple swapping out of shots for the Cavs, and some players will need to change. Dion Waiters, who seems to be more and more reflective on his basketball career, is ready.
“I have to make adjustments,” Waiters said. “I like to have the ball, and we have Kyrie, and he likes to have the ball. So I have to find ways to impact the game without having the ball. I’m planning to go watch tape to see what D-Wade did when he played with LeBron. I need to learn how to be effective out there with him.”
“[Wade] is a ball-dominant guard, too, and when LeBron came over, he had to change his game, too,” Waiters said. “He was so efficient, though, and that really helped their game. I think I can learn a lot from what he did.”
It’s quotes like this from Waiters that make me think he is going to be really good at basketball in the coming years. His office is a hardwood floor, and he’s ready to use the ball on it to do work. He isn’t going to be at the podium complaining about touches and seems like he wants to make his role the one the team needs, not what he wants. Could he be the Dion Wade? Let’s hope so.
The trade will be a sad day in Cleveland. I don’t care what the Love lovers say. You don’t repeat the “Ron Harper” trade that Michael Jordan quoted right after the trade” We traded away our championship”. We traded away one of our best players and our bench. We bacame labeled “soft”. This is remininscent of that trade. A lousy defender, who is the only “star” on a lousy team. The WIN NOW will have the same ramifications as then. I would hope that Dan Gilbert will do the right thing. There is absolutely no gaurantee that we win the… Read more »
I understand your concerns to an extent, but any argument that tries to downplay how good of a player Love is, is just a bad argument. The guy average 27/12. Look at that again. Third in PER. Third in win shares. The guy is arguably a top 5 player in the league and he’s 25 years old. To downplay that is just bias. Don’t get me wrong, I’m in favor of keeping the young guys and trying to get LeBron/Love to take a little less than the max next year to form a superteam. But if we trade for Love,… Read more »
if love doesn’t sign long term contract with cavs—-a good possibility he signs with golden state and golden state is sitting real good NOT trading any of their players and still landing love ( we all know his love for the west coast )—-I hope this gamble pays off otherwise we are going to look like SH-T – just throwing out a possible scenario that could happen —-if Dieng or Brewer come with the trade I would feel better
This is kind of like the Nance trade where we rec’d a great player but gave up way too much including a draft pick that turned into an all-star. Four years later he was done and so was our team. Phoenix was great for a decade because of that trade. Even worse is that every media guy kept saying months ago that Love has to agree to a long term deal if we trade for him but now every one of them is silent. We can’t be angry with Love if he leaves next year since that is what he… Read more »
Excellent points.
This would be like the Nance trade if the Cavs had Jordan at the time of the trade.
If you are saying we need to do this because we have Lebron you should consider one more thing. Lebron is opting out every year. If Kevin tweaks an ankle at the end of the year we are out of it. If he then leaves isn’t it more likely Lebron leaves? If we keep the core we have and Kyrie tweaks an ankle we will still have Wiggins to step it up and we are not out of it. Lebron will see that youngsters will be better every year and be more likely to opt in?
So are you saying we should build the team like we don’t have Lebron? Should we be trying to to tank one more year and get another high draft pick because LBJ might leave? Obviously not. You have the best player in the world. Act like you you do and build the best team you can. Not the best team in 6 years when Wiggins starts to hit his prime. But over the next 6 years while Lebron Love and Irving are in there primes. Golden State will have very little salary cap space next season. Maybe 5 million. So… Read more »
Has any team in the NBA ever recouped as much as Minnesota will, for a superstar who is 100% certain not to return? Back-to-back #1 overall picks and a future #1 pick? The Lakers can get one of the best bigs in the league for Crittenton and a guy (Gasol) who doesn’t make an impact for 5 years. We give up one of the best prospects in the last decade, another #1 overall pick, and another #1 pick. Just seems like Minnesota used LeBron against us. If Dieng is a part of the trade in return for the Utah fodder,… Read more »
With that said, I’m stoked to keep Waiters. He’s my favorite Cav right now. I think he’s going to FLOURISH with LeBron mentoring him. I can’t wait.
Gasol was a great prospect for Memphis.
At the time the trade was made he was not considered a great prospect. He was a longshot.
agree with above statement–hate to see that happen to any athlete—a ” what if “—what if that was kevin love who got injured—end of trade talks definetely and what would timbewolves be looking at trying to do
Yikes! Feel bad for Paul George. That injury was gruesome.
How you guys purport to be NBA bloggers (for the Cavs) and are still confused about the Gee deal is kind of puzzling to me. 1) The Gee deal was first reported during the draft, which was during the blackout period for trades, IIRC. Therefore, no trade made during that time was official yet. Gee was to be traded for Powell & Haywood. 2) In the meantime, we found a substitute team willing to take Gee, the Pelicans for a 2nd round pick (protected 1-55). So, basically, for nothing. 3) We then substituted Scotty Hopson’s expiring contract for Gee’s expiring… Read more »
I understand most of the concerns listed above about trading AW for Love, and I also understand the fear of not having a rim protector or extra wing defender. However, let’s be realistic here. If the Cavs get Love and start him with Varejao up front, the Cavs will grab every single rebound, which is half the battle on defense. Furthermore, Love throwing his monster outlet passes to LBJ and Waiters leaking out will terrify every team’s transition D, and despite the limited shots available, how is KI/DW/LBJ/KL/AV not the most efficient offense in the League? Especially if you plug… Read more »
I’m worrying because I want to watch them for a while, not one year.
Raoul. Love will not leave. We will pay him 80 over 4 years to play here. And we will get seasons 25-30 of Kevin Love. He isn’t going to leave a potential 70 win team in a disaster of a conference to play will Grampa Bryant. GS and Clippers have no cap space.
Do you really think that he won’t resign? No one thinks that. Not one GM in the league thinks that.
If anyone has read what I written before Lebron Decision 2; I was all about trading Kyrie and building the team around Waiters. (I am a big Kyrie fan as well, just thought they both couldn’t play together. And Kyrie could get a king’s ransom in return.) After thinking everything over, I am all about trading Wiggins. I think he could be great with Lebron, but Waiters is a great player to have as well. Huge fan of Gorgui….I lived in Louisville the year they won it all. He played great in the title game and hit some clutch elbow… Read more »
I continue to be somewhat concerned about the Love trade. Largely based on “What Ifs” such as what if Love leaves after one year? and What if with Love the Cavs still aren’t a real contender because we don’t have a rim protector (and we won’t likely get one cause we gave up our assets). Or what if Wiggins becomes the next Jordan/LeBron/Kobe – would we regret giving for giving that up? I guess the only thing we can ‘fix’ in the trade is hope that we can get Pek or Dieng in the trade with Love. That way we… Read more »
I would rather have Dieng than Pek hands down. Pek gets 12 million a year, that just ain’t going to happen.
Here is my dream scenario: Cavs: Love, Mo Williams, Noel Wolves: Thad Young, Waiters, Bennet, 2 #1 picks (and additional contracts to make it work) 76ers: Wiggins, Berea (or Martin), #1 pick (and maybe Haywood to dump salary next year) Doesn’t this work out for everyone? Cavs get their coveted Love AND a top notch rim protector. Throw in Mo williams who plays well will Lebron and would be a fine replacement for Dion (who needs to go due to chemistry issues) Wolves get two very good players and two #1’s for a player who is leaving (as a one… Read more »
If the Wolves liked AB, DW and a pick it would have been done already.
Actually this is the best 3 way I have seen. I doubt it happens but Minny does lose the 2 contracts they want to dump.
My guess is that the actual deal will flip Wiggins and Dion. Then substitute Noel for Deng
Mo Williams cannot play two guard. So, the CAVS will need to find one. The CAVS really can’t get rid of Waiters. They need him. I think Varejao may be gone.
Mo burned his bridges with Lebron post decision. Pretty sure Lebron will ixnay any potential attempt the Cavs make to bring him back. And I’m pretty sure the Cavs are not that dumb to try that anyways.
Williams is an UFA as well. He really can’t play 1 either…he is just a spot up shooter…overachieving bum.
There is no way that the Cavs can give up Bennett, Wiggins and a 1st round pick for Love. Even then, the math does not add up salary wise. The only scenario I give up Wiggins is this deal: Cavs send Wiggins, Haywood and two 1st rounders to Minnesota while also shipping Dion Waiters to Philly. Minnesota offloads Love, Mo Williams and a 1st rounder. Philly offloads Thaddeus Young. Cavs: Get Love, Williams. Philly: Waiters, Haywood (to offload 10mil contract next year), 1st rounder from Minny. Wolves: Wiggins, Thaddeus Young and 3 first rounders. Those salaries match for every team.… Read more »
That bench is atrocious.
The salary will indeed match to trade Wiggins, Bennett, and picks for Love once you add in some combo of Lucas III, Thomas, or Murphy. Three players the Cavs acquired simply for the purpose of constructing trades and making salaries match.
Agreed, the CAVS really are not in a position to trade Waiters.
the cavs have haywood to use him as trade fodder NEXT year. his salary cap value this year is ~2 millions. next year it goes up to ~10 million and is non guaranteed. the only way they trade him this year is desperation and stupidity. next year they trade him to someone looking to unload a contract of ~10 million as long as gilbert is willing to pay the tax. the team that gets him, cuts him and the cavs get a player making ~10 million. that is why his contract is so valuable for a championship caliber team. not… Read more »
also, as I said to someone else on this page, mo williams won’t ever play on a LeBron James led team. too much personal issues there post-decision. also, mo completely choked in the Orlando playoff series. I still blame him and mike brown for that loss. and he makes 3.5 million – we’re struggling to match love’s 15 million and have to give up 2 #1 picks to match that, what more do we need to dump to add mo to the mix? no thank you. So keep him out of any trade scenarios unless he is going to a… Read more »
oh, and I’m still hoping TT is included in this deal in place of one of the rookies who are under control for the next 6-7 years and have higher upside. TT’s contract is up next year and I really don’t want them to pay him what he’ll be demanding because they have no other options.
Hey ( I know this has little to do with topic ) can you consider doing a piece on the potential of changing the rules on the draft lottery? What’s your take on this? Compare 76’er to Cavs kind of thing. There has been so much speculation on this Love trade that one wouldn’t mind some other topics too. HAve 76ers really ruined it for everyone else?
Here is how I would do it to deal with the issues:
First 5 teams all have an 11% chance: total 55%.
Next 9 have 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1% chance: total 45%.
This would greatly lessen the advantage of tanking, but would still have some extra oompf for the bottom.
I would implement it with a 2 year wait, so teams like the 76’s that are executing a strategy will not have the rug pulled from under them.
No Love trade unless we get him on the cheap (without Wiggins). Lets sign him or trade for him next year. What is the rush? Knowing the misfortune we carry in our blood in Cleveland, I have this nasty feeling somethings gonna screw up. Unless everything goes perfectly we will have trouble holding onto two all-NBA first team players next year with max-salary slots opening up in LA, Boston and perhaps NYC. Look, I have as much Cleveland pride as the next guy, however, I also know, we are not tax free state, warm weather city or a big market.… Read more »
if love does not guarantee to sign an extension – we cannot make this trade–would give up way too much(future ) for possibly just one yr —-do you think their plans are to ANNOUNCE the trade ( which they an do ) before LeBron’s homecoming next week and possibly have love their ( along with the other teammates ) just a thought
actually the NBA has told both teams they are not permitted to even announce any trade including Andrew Wiggins until the 30 day moratorium is over.
Maybe we can work a three way deal with the Pistons?
Cavs get: Love
Minny gets: Monroe via s&t and Waiters + 2 Cavs 1st round picks
Pistons get their choice bt Bennett/TT, 1 Cavs 1st round pick
We’d probably have to add some other players to get it to work from a numbers standpoint, but it seems like a better deal.
If the reports that Wiggins will be traded are true, here is something to worry about. Why would the Cavs make such an obviously dumb trade? Maybe LeBron made it a precondition to signing. If so, that means he wants to win one this year rather than have a long championship run that might not start for a year or so. But that would make no sense if he indeed plans to finish his career in Cleveland. It would be possible for LeBron and Love to both leave after next season, leaving the Cavs back fighting for the top pick… Read more »
Maybe Lebron watched Wiggins in college and noticed he wasn’t that great at basketball
Yeah. The tone of the pro-Wiggins camp strikes me as odd. It is really hard to become an elite player, even if you are gifted with unique athletic gifts. I like Wiggins and think it would be fascinating to watch his athleticism mesh and grow with LeBron. But the idea that Wiggins is a sure thing is just wrong. He has lots of room to go to be a great NBA player, and he may never make it.
Minnesota would have to put Monroe at PF, next to Pek. Seeing as how that isn’t working in Detroit, I doubt they would do this.
I don’t know if anyone else has been feeling this. I know it’s silly and stupid, but to me, trading for Kevin Love just feels cheap. When LeBron, who I have still not entirely forgiven, left for Miami, I referred to the team there as “The CHeat” for all four years. Irrationally, I felt as if it was cheap and contrary to the spirit of competition to assemble so many stars on one team, especially as it seemed like there was collusion. Take the Spurs, as a counter example, they drafted all of their best players and developed them to… Read more »
1) This much more closely resembles the forming of the Celtics with Garnet, Allen and Pierce. Garnet and Allen were both traded for but the Allen trade was robbery. So maybe this is a 50/50 Heat Celtics. 2) We arent circumventing the rules (either collusion or Salary Cap) 3) We didn’t waste 2-3 years of Dwades prime freeing up cap space 4) Our big 3 are way better than their big three ever were because of age. Love is a far superior player than Bosh and Irving meshes with LBJ better than wade ever did at least conceptually. Love should… Read more »
you’re horrified about Gee?
I do not think that making the trade for Love (giving up Wiggins, Bennett, and 2/3 first rounders) is smart at all. Yes Love is a great player, probably better than wiggins ever will be and he certainly makes us a much more serious contender for next year. Recent reports (and common sense) say that Love will opt out after this season. This leaves us with 2 options: Lose AW, AB and our picks for a year rental of Love or resign Love to a max deal. Without a rim protector or a 3 and D guy on the wing.… Read more »
We will not have cap space if we don’t get Love. With or without Love, we are going to be a capped team.
Next year, between LBJ, KI, Wiggins, Waiters, Bennett, TT, Mike Miller, and Joe Harris we will be around $58 million. Throw in some type of extension for Varejao, the cap holds for the MLE and the bi-annial exception, and we will be operating as a capped team.
TT will be a rfa next year and Dion the year after.
@Rodney – Are you saying we can get cap space in a couple years if we let TT and Dion walk? If that is the way we get cap space, then we may as well trade them for assets now while LBJ is at peak of powers.
I’m saying exactly that. It makes no sense to try and use Free Agency to sign players outside Vet mins and MLE. After next season Irvings Cap hit goes to near 15. TT will be due an extension. Waiters the season after that. We aren’t going to have meaningful cap space for a long time. Hopefully a Long Long time. It would actually cost us more assets to sign Love in Free Agency next season. It would cost us AV and TT for sure. then we would have to dump Dion and Bennet most likely. The easiest way for us… Read more »
Nice. I completely agree. One of the false narratives around the Love deal is that we will have more cap flexibility without him. That is not really true.
I see what you are saying about the cap space issue..however, I still think we are more “flexible” if we don’t trade for love in the sense that I we could resign our own players, trade them for cheaper assets, sign and trade them etc. If we get love, we have nearly 60 mil tied up in three players. With Kyrie and Love having already shown that they are somewhat injury prone (although their injuries were not ones that seemed to be chronic), we are one injury away from being a 2nd round playoff team. By keeping our players and… Read more »
I think AW + (AB or DW) + picks for Love is obviously stupid, but it might be even more so. The news today is that Love is NOT planning on signing an extension, even for the Cavs. If this is true, this has the potential to be the worst trade in the history of pro sports.
The Cavs won’t give up both Wiggins and Waiters. This would leave a huge hole at SG. Plus apparently LeBron is high on Waiters.
It makes no sense for Love to sign an extension because he can get a lot more money by resigning a new deal.
It’s a big risk, and that is part of the reason I think the Cavs are reluctant to include Wiggins in a trade.
Clearly you haven’t followed professional sports for very long.
Right. He must not of been around when Harden was traded for nothing. Or when the Knicks destroyed their franchise trading for Melo. Or when the Cavs traded for Ferry. Or when the Colts gave a 1st for Richardson. Or a slew of other trades.
I don’t think the news on Love is anything new though I could be misreading your statement. Which makes me a bit confused on the Cavs paying too much. Love will only go to the Cavs(no competitive trade options for Minny) and will not sign an extension(don’t give up major assets for a possible rental). One thing I hadn’t thought of and mvp made a good point about, if Cavs management and Lebron really knew the scoop when the lottery pick became THE #1 pick then they wouldn’t care who was selected overall #1, its just a piece. We fell… Read more »
I’m still holding out hope that the Cavs can keep Wiggins, though I know it’s unlikely. I guess it is what it is. Love is a top 10 player and his game should mesh well with Lebron’s. I just think that Wiggins and Bennet fit in better than TT and Dion.
The Cavs just need a wing 3 and D guy and a shot-blocking big and they’d be complete. It’ll be an interesting ride. Can’t wait.
we have all been playing g.m. in our heads for the last 3 weeks—I am happy either way— are there risks and rewards for either trade / or no trade hell yes but agree with cory we are in much better shape than a year ago
I could go either way with this trade. If we trade Wiggins and Bennett for Love we are looking at a core of Lebron, Love, Irving, Wiaters, Thompson, Andy and Delly going forward. That’s a better starter kit than Miami had four years ago. We still need a center, but they won a title with ditch kid Joel Anthony. If we don’t make the deal we’ll have the flexibility and assets to build a package for another All-Star or near All-Star. Zach Lowe had mentioned that Al Horford was available last year at the trade deadline. Either way, these are… Read more »
Lol. Agree with Steve. No way Minny does that deal.
That deal is better than letting Love walk for nothing and it’s probably better than a GSW deal that lacks Klay or the reported Bulls deal…
Don’t ask me why, as it is a gut feeling, but of all the deals I’ve seen floated, this makes the most sense:
Cavs: Love
TWolves: Thad Young, Bennett, 2 Jazz contracts, a #1 pick
76ers: Waiters, Berea (or Martin)
I’d happily give up another #1 pick (or two) for Dieng or Noel
Just my 2 cents.
I forgot to add that this still leaves us with an expiring Jazz contract AND Haywood, which is pretty great trade bait for a separate deal.
You forgot to put Wiggins in here
So Thad Young and Bennett for Love. You’d even give up a #25 or later pick for Dieng or Noel? How generous. What about if we just give up Damon Jones and Ira Newble instead, with Eric Snow as an extra kicker if necessary?
lol yep, gotta agree with Steve
I’ve ran that threw my head multiple times also. You might have to give Minny two first rounders if Wiggins isn’t included. Since the Cavs can’t trade their 2015 pick thanks to the Stepien Rule they’d have to give up the Miami or Memphis pick or both.
If I were Minny, no way I’d do that….because Young and Bennett play the same position.
First, the following is if everything goes as expected and the “inevitable” occurs: I’m of the camp that would have rather kept Wiggins and ran with what we had rather than trade for Love, but looking at the big picture, it appears that this was the Cavs “destiny” and I will accept it as it was probably the only way forward. As much as a lot of you despise Bill Simmons, on a recent appearance on The Herd, he said that he was of the opinion that LBJ probably pretty much already knew the Cavs would trade for Love (with… Read more »
I like Bill Simmons. He’s an entertainer with a large brain pan and an over-active, sometimes juvenile, imagination. It wasn’t so long ago Simmons was arguing that the Celtics had the best package to offer for Love. And, as has been speculated over and over, if the Warriors would make Thompson available, Minnesota could deal Love to them. I agree with a lot of what you wrote – Love may see Cleveland as desirable destination because Lebron is here, but Lebron didn’t choose to come to Cleveland because they would land Love.
Certainly it was not the sole factor for the return, but I still think being able to get Love was a major factor for LeBron and I’m suspecting he doesn’t return if this was not a strong possibility. Remember, supposedly his decision was still up in the air the Wednesday before the decision (based on reports that this was around the time he contacted Lee Jenkins to write the piece) so I don’t think he was absolutely coming back right after his season ended. Rather it seems that the meeting with DG was a major factor and not just to… Read more »
Is it selfish to want Deng in a Love deal if you give up Wiggins?
Miami is involved in a three team deal with us and Minnesota??? #irony #sarcasm
I think Cory may have meant Dieng. Which would not be at all selfish in my opinion, but it makes the numbers a little more difficult to work with.
If I’m the front office, I would say, it’s Wiggins + Bennett + Draft pick for Love + Dieng, that seems like a reasonable deal to me, otherwise, play hardball and say well, if you just want to give us Love, we’ll include Waiters instead of Wiggins. Also, a three team deal with Philly might work nicely here: Minny gets Wiggins + Thad Young, Cleveland gets Love +Dieng and Philly gets Bennett + first round pick (maybe the Heat’s next year?) + John Lucas III (for salary reasons) and all is well. Cleveland gets rim protection along with Love, Minny… Read more »
Yeah, meant Deing. Didn’t notice that my phone autocorrected it. How much youth would Minny want on their team any how?
The Wolves could end up with Ricky Rubio throwing opps to Wiggins and Zach LaVine, Bennett and Thaddeus Young banging for rebounds, Gorgui Dieng and Peckovic holding down the 5 and whatever they do with the bonus draft picks they’re going to get? That could be a REALLY fun team to watch in a short amount of time.
Why wait? I’m grumbling right now.
Historians will one day say the offseason of LeBron and Love led to the first ever NBA championship for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the first professional sports championship for the city of Cleveland in 50 years.
Historians will one day say that Dion Waiters was a monster.
Historians might one day say the offseason of LeBron and Wiggins led to the first five NBA championship for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the first professional sports championship for the city of Cleveland in 50 years.
Love and Lebron has a better chance at 5 in a row. Wigggins and Lebron has a better chance at 5 over 15 years. 3 near super stars in there primes has a better chance at a 5peat. Wiggins probably won’t even be an average NBA player next season
How will that work if Love is here for one year?
If we had drafted Noel last year, do you think the TWolves would insist on Wiggins or would they be happy to be dealt Noel?
I doubt they’d take any two players from that top ten
Here is one way to think of this trade. Suppose you were asked 4 months ago if you would trade Bennett, this years pick and next years pick for Love. And if you would trade Zeller, Karasev, and Jack for LeBron. You would be ecstatic, right? Well, that is what may happen. Obviously the fact that this years pick, by a stroke of luck, turned into Wiggins makes it feel different. But it’s an amazing transformation of the roster.
I’ve been thinking about the Love deal in that context as well. My guess is that’s how Griffin is selling this to Gilbert- we’re trading a commodity that in realty hasn’t added a single point to this team, and turning him into Kevin Love. Tough to argue against.
There are plenty of ways to argue against that. Everybody here knows them.
Here is another one, based on the points made above about shots per game. A great “mostly D” player is a better fit for the Cavs than another gunner. There are not enough shots to go around as it is, and way too little D.
We’re not simply trading ‘this year’s pick,’ with a 1.7% chance of winning the lottery (or whatever the odds were). We’re trading what turned out to be this year’s #1 OVERALL pick, in what the experts believe is hands down, the best draft since 2003. The hypothetical scenario you propose is irrelevant now that we know what this year’s pick turned into. The MORE-THAN-FAIR fair trade is Wiggins for Love, straight up. Sacrifice any more of our depth and we lose that trade. Wiggins is by far the best player they’ll get for Love. Taj Gibson? Gimme a break. On… Read more »
As has been said many times here, it’s not possible salary wise to trade Wiggins for Love straight up.
That is of course true.
A more reasonable and workable trade is AB+DW for KL + picks.
So many people seem to not be aware it is the TW’s that are up against the clock, and will wind up with nothing. The Cavs can sit tight, because there is a reasonable chance they will be better with AW than with KL.
I agree its not a fair hypothetical. I acknowledged as much in my original post.
My broader point was to provide some perspective on how amazing the Cavs roster transformation has been. The Love trade seems to be generating a lot of negativity, but either way it shakes out, the Cavs will have made one of the great roster transformations in NBA history.
Big yes to that! Amazing shift from what was, for me, a barely watchable 13-14 season.
The straight up trade doesn’t work under league rules because the salary has to be at least 75% that is why you see the pupu platter being offered for a star, ether way this is a good dilema to have.