Live Thread: Cavs @ Pistons
2025-02-05The Cavs travel to the Little Ceasers arena tonight to take on the Pistons, but will be sans Donavon Mitchellm The wine and golf brain trust are smartly holding him out after he took a nasty fall against Boston and contused (is that a word?) his shoulder. Still no Okoro or Wade while Detroit while only Jaden Ivey remains out. The Pistons traded for KJ Martin this afternoon, and it doesn’t appear as of now that the Cavs are holding anyone out for trade purposes, so this should be a fun one.
Detroit looks to bounce back atter getting “Trae-ed” by Young’s non-stop trip to the free throw line, Monday, leading to a two point loss. Key will be executing the offense and stopping Cade Cunningham. Go Cavs.
Looks like DM is playing 2nite.
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this should improve the chances of Hunter getting his act together and being really good.
Skills Challenge:
Team Cavs: Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley
Team Rooks: Zaccharie Risacher (Hawks) and Alex Sarr (Wizards)
Team Spurs: Chris Paul and Victor Wembanyama
Team Warriors: Draymond Green and Moses Moody
Nice.
From SI.com:
Per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, the Hawks asked the Cavaliers for their 2031 first-round pick and/or Jaylon Tyson in Cleveland’s trade package for Hunter. As Fedor notes, “the Cavs weren’t willing” to move either of them.
all the pre trade speculation had JT also going to the Hawks, which I thought should be a deal breaker
Cavs gonna be so switchy
It was such a a home run deal
DG the PG is in the 3 point contest this year.
I THINK DeANDRE IN THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT. (WHICH THE CAVS ARE). WILL PROSPER ON BOTH ENDS—- HAVING HIS COLLEGE ROOMMATE TY WILL HELP ALSO 👍👍
I agree. I’ve kind of already factored in the idea that his metrics will improve with the Cavs. Possibly setting myself up for disappointment.
WOW HAVENT HEART THE M SMART RUMOR—- INTERESTING 🤨
Still an off-season possy.
February 7: After being listed as away from the team as he progressed toward a buyout (Twitter link via Brian Lewis of The New York Post), Charania and Windhorst report (via Twitter) that Simmons is finalizing a buyout with the Nets. He will meet with the Cavaliers and Clippers on Friday, per ESPN’s duo.
Sources tell NBA insider Chris Haynes that Simmons will also meet with the Rockets (Twitter link). According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Twitter link), Simmons will finalize his buyout once he has a new team lined up.
yikes!
According to Windy, the Cavs were also considering grabbing Marcus Smart from Memphis.
Hunter’s D is more theoretical than actual, the Hawks D is better with him OFF the floor. But he was excellent in college, and +/- & off on can also reflect the others on the court more than the player, especially on D. And he’s a poor rebounder.
And he has a high salary & durability issues. And his year this year is his best. Is it a blip or the new normal?
Still, his shot selection has vastly improved this year, along with efficiency.
Still, it is a decent gamble. We need bigger wings with better length. He can shoot and even do some eork off the bounce. And he is locked up for a couple years. If it clicks, that’s a bonus. If not, not. Niang is a good regular season innings eater, but due to his D, is not a big factor come PO time. Depth wise, we still have 10. Hunter takes all of Niang’s and some of LeVert’s SF minutes. We loose some secondary playmaking. Which will be worse if we lose Jerome. Hopefully Tyson can step up and be… Read more »
As far as his offense, this is his best season so far, but I look at the fact that his 3pt volume “and” accuracy both have improved in each of the last “two” years – look at the progression from 22-23 to the current season. That’s in addition to his FT rate increasing each of the last two years (by a significant margin this year). And these trends have been happening from ages 25-27, roughly when you’d expect a player to reach their prime. Doesn’t seem like a fluke.
I want to say both Max and Caris really improved here alongside the core. I don’t know what you can expect from DeAndre — probably a bit of a dip in 3P% but better looks overall? I like that he can draw FTs off the bounce, too.
I have some concerns about DeAndre as an underachiever as well but we seem to give guys like that (Ice) room to grow
If the Cavs win it all, LeVert and Niang should be in the parade.
They would get championship rings.
Ah, great. I do like the trade.
I agree with many of the Niang criticisms, but there’s something to be said about the toughness he brought to this team. Sure Boston played him off the court, but he was useful against other teams and his post D seemed pretty good actually. Anyway, I’m good with the trade, but some of the Niang hate here is overblown.
Agree 100%. He is a solid player. But more of a 9-12th man.
and how often were there “unplayable” comments all game long about Niang, and he turns out to lead the team in +/-?
Mavs up 19 on Celts
Having that Kyrie fellow on the floor matters, even if he isn’t actually killing it himself
Max Christie is pretty good too, plus Klay turned back the clock.
Him going nova vs OKC in game 6 for the Dubs was one of the most impressive shooting spurts I have ever seen.
Nice trade. After all the moaning and groaning re Niang’s play, okay to see him depart provided an adequate biggish individual gets added. My main concern re Hunter is health/durability. Hopefully that works out. Think I will stay away from the Wizards game this time
Well, I think we have a pretty reliable 10:
1-4. Core 4: DG, Spida, Mobes, Fro.
5-6. Borderline Starter: Strus, Hunter
7-9. Main Bench: Jerome, Okoro, Wade
10th Man: Merrill
—————–
11-12: Tyson, CPJ
Towel waiver: TT
2 open spots. Simmons and Bruce Brown woild do nicely!
“DRE-CEMBER 🥶 De’Andre Hunter’s Best Plays of the Month”.. on ytube.. ATL Hawks channel.. the dude can ball..
looking very good! when he gets going in the open court he looks like a skinny LeBron
“ DITTO “ WHAT NATE POSTED———— WOULD ENJOY ……. “ MORE BEER 🍺 PLEASE WITH NIANG “ —— AT THE SAME TIME COULD PROBABLY BEAT HIM IN A GAME OF H O R S E OR 1 ON 1 👍🏀
I am so glad I don’t have to watch Georges Niang play for the Cavs anymore.
Loved Niang the person. Hated Niang the player.
He was always available and had good nights scoring. But against elite wings, he cannot defend. He is more an 11-13 guy that a 6-10 guy. But still a nice guy to have on a reasonable deal.
I’ll miss Caris more. We had his Bird Rights, and he could be retained, while Jerome will be trickier. But Caris or Strus had to go to match the salary, especially of we wanted under the tax/apron.
sometimes you don’t like someone.
E.g., I don’t like Billy Joel, but do acknowledge he has written some great songs.
Niang as a ninth or tenth guy is really good. He will be useful in ATL with wings and OO/Capela to cover him up a bit
Chuck loves the Hunter pick up.
Chuck: “I don’t know what the hell the Hawks are doing.”
Barkley?
Yes
All Star Game teams
Feb. 6: Cavs get a boost on wing
Cavs get: De’Andre Hunter
Hawks get: Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, three second-round picks and two pick swaps
I’m not sure this trade could be more perfect for the Cavaliers. Whether Hunter continues his role as a sixth man this season or moves into the starting lineup, he’s the perfect wing complement to everything the Cavs have going. Why did the Hawks want to get out of the Hunter business? Who knows.
Cavs grade: A+
Hawks grade: C
The Hawks do a lot of dumb things
$23 mil a year is a lot for a bench guy. Their recent top pick is ahead of him. Same position.
He’ll start with the Cavs.
Yeah the issue is the contract being a little rich for a player they are not sure impacts winning
GOOD 3 GAMES FOR HUNTER TO GET ACCLIMATED 👍👍
He’s out Friday – but so is Sarr, one of only two Wizards I like.
Bummer that the Knicks game is a B2B but we travel from Brooklyn to Cleveland the night before.
March schedule is cake mix too. You’d like to beat Boston in Boston to get the H2H tiebreaker but even without it I think we can put distance between us and them in March and chill in April
PERSONALLY I WOULD “ ROLL THE DICE “ ON SIMMONS —— POSSIBLY A “ LATE BlOOMER “ MATURITY WISE —-BE IN THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT— NOT HAVING THE PRESSURE OF HAVING TO SUCCEED AS THE #1 PICK —- SURROUNDED BY TRUE / GREAT PROFESSIONAL s —- HAVE THE BEST SUPPORTIVE FAN BASE —- OK I HAVE MADE MY SALES PITCH TO / FOR SIMMONS
low risk, longshot high reward signing. certainly tempting — unless he is a weird guy that creeps everyone out
OK, here is the upcoming, time to get Hunter up to speed:
Friday: at Wizz
Monday: T-Wolves
Wednesday: at Raps
Week off: ASG
the NYK game on 2/21 has been moved to ESPN national game.
Last time DeAndre played the Wolves, he dropped 35 on them.
The Nets are working on a buyout agreement with forward/guard Ben Simmons, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The Cavaliers and the Clippers are among teams that be suitors for the former All-Star. The Athletic’s Law Murray confirmed the Clippers interest on Thursday (Twitter link).
While Simmons isn’t the same level of defender as he was when he finished no lower than fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting in consecutive seasons from 2019-21, he still provides some intrigue on that end. Both the Cavaliers and Clippers have at least one open roster spot, so they wouldn’t need to clear the way to sign him. The Rockets don’t have a roster spot open but could waive Cody Zeller once their series of trade deadline moves are completed. Due to apron rules, the Celtics, Nuggets, Lakers, Bucks, Timberwolves, Knicks and Suns are ineligible to sign… Read more »
I cannot believe I am gonna type this, but as a defender, rebounder, and secondary ball handler, at a low salary, I do not mind it.
How old is he now?
28
FWIW.. hunter put up 25 against cavs in last game with ATL.. 12/12 on FTs.. 6/13 but a tough night on 3s (1/7).. 5 Rb.. also, this season is hitting 39.3% on 3s.. pretty sweet 6’8″ addition..
Yeah he whipped our asses. Risacher is probably going to be better as soon as next year so he’s expendable but drawing a bunch of FTs on drives is something we don’t have
The Athletic gives the Cavs an A+ on the Hunter trade, and the Hawks a C. I can post the article if anyone wants.
My biggest concern with Hunter is his durability issues.
Was thinking the same. Potentially a rotating door with him and Wade.
Fair, but been ok this year
I don’t think people understand how good Hunter has gotten as a shooter. 60TS% on 9+ shots per 75 possessions. Cavs can literally have four elite level shooters right now: Mitchell, Garland, Hunter, and Merrill. They have several very good shooters: Strus, Jerome, Okoro, and Mobley. Plus Wade and CPJ (who’s been much better this year).
Do you mean Hunter, not Young.
He murders us, so we should know firsthand lol
a little sad to see caris traded but i am liking this deal.. nice job koby.. got some solid value and size without depleting any of the jewels..
Ditto. If I had to loose 2 of the others/non-core 4, Niang would have been my first choice and Caris/Strus 2nd. And no 1st round pick.
But Boston shows we need a bigger wing, especially with Wade’s durability issues.
And, this year at least, we saved some $$. Under the tax now.
Everyone wants out of the KPJ business
Whispers were out there this week that Clippers wanted out of the Kevin Porter Jr. business, and this seems to confirm. Bucks save same money against the luxury tax and get another shot creator. Porter has a player option on his minimum deal for next season.
Thinking ahead, I like that this gives us someone with the size and strength to match up with Jalen Brown, at least in principle.
Then again, seeing reports of not great defensive numbers, especially defensive rebounding. If only…
Still, between him, Tyson, and Wade they have credible bigger guys, and Okoro can spell some, too, at least on D.
He rebounded in college and I imagine he’ll play a lot of four. I’m cautiously optimistic.
He does not get a ton of steals/blocks, so that torpedos some metrics.