Podcap: Boston 112, Cleveland 105 (or, Slop Slingin’ Trebuchet)
2025-02-05Tough loss, Cavs fans. Cleveland overcame a 20 point first quarter deficit to cut the Boston lead to four about halfway through the fourth quarter, and then after a miraculous four point play by Darius Garland to cut the diff to five, Spida Mitchell pounced on a steal and roared up the court. With a wide open Garland waiting on the right side of the arc, Mitchell went the other way, the Cavs turned it over, and that was the ballgame. Still, a valiant effort by Darius, Donovan, and Jarrett Allen was waged, but alas Cleveland couldn’t overcome turnovers, nervous shooting, and Boston offensive rebounds. The Cavs’ bench, perhaps in their heads a little too much due to the impending trade deadline, was especially rough with Georges Niang and Caris LeVert joining starter Evan Mobley in putting up some of their worst performances of the season.
To document it all, Nate Smith, Eli Kim, and Chris Francis hopped into Ye Olde Podcast Boothe and broke down the game, the impending trade deadline, the team, and the news from around the league. After recapping, the guys got into slop season with what they think the Cavs should do, and what they think the Cavs will do with the trade deadline less than 36 hours away. Inspired by Devin Vassell’s unorthodox jump shooting form, our intrepid bloggers asked “do the Cavs follow the Medieval tenets of biological warfare, and jettison any of their underperforming players via trade as if they were cadavers launched by trebuchet?”
Did our podcasting yoemen said “yay,” or “nay?” Does this team has too many good vibes to mess with right now, or do the Cavs need to make a change to compete for a championship? You’ll have to listen to find out, but we all gave some names of guys we think might be able to help, and though we want to see some of the guys on the floor a lot less *cough cough – Georges Niang – cough cough* we’d be heartbroken to say goodbye to any of them and see them depart this special team entirely. We’ll see what the next two days hold, and in the mean time, enjoy your favorite CtBers slingin the slop around and making fun of the Mavericks.
As always, catch us below, download the full audio file, or listen on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, or Spotify.
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The Cavs were 6.5 favorites tonight vs Detroit, but are now 4.5 favorites. Wonder if something fishy is happening behind the scenes 😂
Mitchell questionable with a shoulder
And now out :(
The Kings are acquiring center Jonas Valanciunas in a trade with the Wizards, reports NBA insider Marc Stein (Twitter link). According to Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link), Sacramento is sending newly acquired wing Sidy Cissoko and a pair of second-round picks to Washington in the deal.
BR —OTHER MEDIA FORMATS DISAGREE—-SAYING — BUCKS GRADE C- OR WORSE——- I WOULDNT WANT KUZMA ON MY TEAM—- WORSE VERSION OF SEXTON —— JUST MY HUMBLE OPINION
I MET BUCKS 🤪
Middleton was cooked. Got em under the apron too. Good trade even if the Haslams suck.
Maybe the Wiz will buy out Middleton and he can join the Cavs with Valanciunis
“keeping him for now.” Who’s leaving the Cavs in this scenario?
Waive TT and pick them both up as buyout candidates. Yeah I know it’s not happening.
Valanciunas has two more years. They’re not buying him out.
WOW MIDDLETON FOR KUZMA —- ALOT OF TIMBERWOLVES FANS UPSET ALREADY—- DONT BLAME THEM
The Pelicans are trading center Daniel Theis to the Thunder along with draft compensation, reports Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).
Preach Chris. The Adelsons suck!
I see Wiggins ending up in Toronto.
As Fedor reports, the Cavs have also checked in on several other possible trade candidates, such as Cameron Johnson (Nets), Jerami Grant (Trail Blazers), Javonte Green (Pelicans), Cody Martin (Hornets), Chris Boucher (Raptors), Julian Champagnie (Spurs), Obi Toppin (Pacers), and Royce O’Neale (Suns). However, the front office is wary about messing with the chemistry of a team that sits atop the Eastern Conference with a 40-10 record.
As mentioned below… I wouldn’t give up Tyson in this proposed trade. The Cavaliers have expressed interest in Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter, multiple sources tell Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (subscriber link), confirming a report from HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. According to Fedor, the Cavs’ talks with Atlanta have centered around swingman Caris LeVert. Due to the difference between Hunter’s current cap hit ($21.7MM) and LeVert’s ($16.6MM), Cleveland would have to send out at least one more player in any deal involving the Hawks forward to avoid surpassing the first tax apron, according to Fedor, who suggests that rookie Jaylon Tyson ($3.3MM)… Read more »
Not moving Tyson is giving Heat vibes where they stuck with JJJ and Jovic.
Tyson being better than DeAndre Hunter, Johnson or Grant (or Max Strus or Caris LeVert for that matter) seems highly unlikely. Wouldn’t move him for the other guys mentioned but for those three it’s close to a no brainer
They can also have Okoro and we will grab another player from the Hawks… maybe Capella, although I don’t know if that fits in $ wise.
Okoro made winning plays against Boston, is elite at POA and shot really well for $10m.
I’d probably move him in a separate deal for a third big but he’s a useful matchup player in tough matchups the way Sam can be and the way Tyson (and probably Niang although he kills the Bucks and Sixers) can’t be.
Grant suuuucks.
We’d be overjoyed if Tyson came close to his Detroit or Portland production at any point during his rookie contract. He has flaws but as the seventh man he’s useful but pricey.
Jovic is playing at NBA replacement level at 21 with 59TS%. That’s well ahead of the curve and well past where Okoro was at that age. Would love to be “stuck” with Jovic. He’s on a path to being a very good stretch big perfect next to Adebayo. He had a terrible game against the Cavs but having a solid season. He was super young when drafted.
JJJ has regressed this year for sure and is almost 24. He’s looking like “just a guy.” Would not be surprised to see him moved.
He’s a good prospect and might be a good starter. Exactly the guy you give up for Dame or Mitchell or the next available good upgrade.
They “stuck” with him instead of moving him in a deal, they aren’t stuck with him. It’s a verb as used in my post, not an adjective.
Bucks-Wiz swap Kuzma and Middleton
was the potential framework of a Hunter / LeVert trade discussed? (assume so)
who on our roster would Atlanta like? (Daniels, Risacher and Johnson make Hunter a little redundant). I think Craig Porter would be solid there as a legit backup to Trae under good cost control.
I’d almost like to expand the deal if possible: Levert / Niang / Ice (or Tyson) / Porter for Capela and Hunter
I think capela probably has enough value they could spin him off on his own. He could start for a lot of teams out west.
I also think you may get get one guy moved but three would be a tough sell to this locker room.