Live Thread: 2026 NBA Draft 2026-06-23 Off By Nate Smith Wizards on the Clock. Giannis is a Heatle. And the moves are just ramping up. What does it mean for the Cavs? We’ll see! Podcast 327: Accountability’s for Suckers Free Agency Open Thread: Mitchell Extends
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(750x407:752x409)/dum-dums-lollipops-050725-6ca2399ec2ec4db1afbe32290239652f.jpg "Podcast 327: Accountability’s for Suckers")
new open thread so comments don’t get shut down
LNJ to Pacers, 1/$4.
the Cavs have not been doing too well with trades lately — can anyone remember a trade that was a big win? anyway, Okoro for Ball was particularly bad, not sure why the Cavs hadn’t noticed Ball couldn’t shoot any more. we could have used Okoro. too bad we couldn’t trade them back by including the SRP we used to get rid of Ball.
I think the Mitchell trade was a win. Getting Jarrett Allen in the Hardwn deal was a win. I think the Harden for DG trade was a win. I think Strus has been pretty good when available, he’s streaky, sure, but also contributes in other ways. That was a S&T with Miami, so IDK if that one really counts. Some on here had irrational Okoro hate,,so they lived the Ball deal. But that deal was essentially pass your trash. Ball was decent/good on D, but a huge negative on O. I think he is out of the league. The Hunter… Read more »
Colin Cowherd is kind of abrasive, but he knows more than about 98% of the other sports talkers. check out his rap on building a championship team in today’s salary cap world, and how the Celts trade is excellent:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1713946803084334
this viewpoint does not look so good for the Cavs.
So, at the moment:
(Harden), Mitchell, Strus, Mobley, Allen
Schröder, Merrill, Tyson, Tomlin, Bryant
CPJ, Thomas, Proctor, ???, ???
2 way: Minix, Enaruna, Udeh
Still WAY thin at forward.
All signs point to us wanting to stay under the 2nd apron. With Thomas’ contract, we are about $36 mil under. A big chunk of that woukd be a Harden deal. The taxpayer MLE is around $6 mil.
How much does LeBron want/need? Both in terms of salary and roster moves? Strus/Schröder are obvious candidates to move to free up salary or combine with our 2031 first, the only one we can trade, to land a player. Tyson or Allen could also help land a bigger fish.
I really like Donovan Mitchell. Happy to see he wanted to sign and did sign.
HOWEVER… I have high conviction that Mitchell can NOT be your #1 guy. But he’s being paid as the #1 guy. I don’t think that works. I hope I’m wrong.
absolutely. if a guy isn’t a top 10 player, giving him a max contract will not lead to titles.
Should we not have maxed Mobley, then?
Another crazy trade idea, I wonder what Kyrie’s trade value is? The Mavs have said they are not interested.
He makes $39 mil. Strus + Umlat is $31.5. A Harden package could fit salary wise. We’d obviously have to throw in picks. We’d still be small. The perimeter D would still be putrid.
But if he is healthy, he takes better care of the ball, would becour beat 3PT shooter, and could still create & score.
2031 is the only firstcwe can trade. 2027 & 2029 are gone. 2033 is 2nd apron frozen
the last time Kyrie was any good the Cavs won it all. as far as being an overpaid headcase, Kyrie trounces Jaylen Brown.
Is he better than Harden, for us? That is iffy.
Can’t pass – bigs stagnate
plus, he totally screwed us over because he thinks he is too good to be on a team with LeBron. he also screwed over the Celts, Nets, and who knows who else.
I bet he is signing a different tune now, though. I mean, look at all thise trips to the Finals since he left……….
In their primes, I’d prefer Kyrie over Harden, but at their current ages I think Harden’s durability (and thus availability) and better play-making for others (despite the postseason TOs) make him a better fit. Although if you could get LeBron “and” Kyrie in the fold while only subtracting Harden plus assets other than core players (Strus + another non-core salary & a FRP), I’d do that.
Corneilson at KJG thinks Miami might trade Wiggins for Harden.
No way that’s happening but that would be pretty funny to have Wiggins join Lebron back in Cleveland, who gave him the boot for Kevin Love back in 2015.
Not sure they even can since he just got extended
Why would we do that? Then we’d need a PG. To appease the King & get him to come because he hates Harden?
Lordy, I mean the D with Harden + Mitchell + LeBron would stink. But Harden/KBJ P&R with the King rolling would be fun.
We’d need at least another real F type so LBJ can play the 4 when 1 of JA/Mobes sit. And I would not play those 3 together a ton.
We scored 104, 93, 108, 93 vs NY.
101, 97, 116, 112, 117 (OT), 94, 125 vs Detroit.
126, 115, 104, 89, 125, 110 (OT), 114 vs Toronto.
Every game we cracked 110 in regulation we won. Every game we didn’t we lost except for 1 OT game in Det.
Overall PO record when:
Cracked 110 in regulation: 7-0
Failed to crack 110 in regulation: 1-10
Yes, the D needs to improve, but so does the O.
LeBron ain’t going to stand around while Harden dribbles the life out of the ball. for that matter, it seems to have really hurt DM
GOOD CONTRACT FOR BOTH—-/ CAVS GETTING SOMEWHAT OF A DISCOUNT—— SPIDA SECURITY ( especially from injury) SPIDA “ A MAN OF HIS WORD——— I REALLY LIKE CLEVELAND “ ——SPIDA WE ALL LIKE YOU TOO!!!!!!!
there is something to be said for a player wanting to stay with Cleveland. same as with Denzel Ward with the Browns. the Browns are looking to be a top team in about two years. this might be past the prime of Denzel and he is currently worth plenty. but I am for keeping Denzel on as the elder stateman — but would trade Tillman and Judy in a heartbeat.
Cavs contracts, thru, options, cap hit $mils
Mitchell, 29/30, PO 30/31, $50/60/65/70/75
Mobley: 29/30, $46/50/54/57.5/61
Allen: 28/29, $28/$30/$32.5
Strus: thru 26/27, $16.6 mil
Schröder: thru 27/28, $14.8/$15.5
Merrill: 28/29, $8.5/9.3/9.8/10.5
Tyson: 26/27, TO 27/28, RFA, $3.7/5.6
—————-
Bryant: 26/27, $2.45 (vet min)
Tomlin: 26/27, RFA, $2.4 mil
CPJ: 26/27, $2.4 mil
Proctor: 27/28, TO 28/29, $2.1/$2.5/$2.7
Thomas: 28/29, TO 29/30, $??/$2.3/$2.7/$2.9
FA: Harden
Spida cap hit:
$60 mil in 2027/28, $65 in 28/29, $70 in 29/30, and have a $75 mil player option for 30/31, his age 34 season.
Well, Spida is a Cav for the foreseeable.
He gets some 26/27 injury protection. The Cavs get a bit of a discount from the supa dupa max he could have inked in 2027.
Whoa 😲
guess the Cavs had to do it, but I worry that we are locked into a “lucky to make the ECF” zone for a long time. obviously a low cost LeBron can make anything happen. if the Cavs don’t make the ECF this year, it is probably time to trade him. is there a “no trade” clause?
He has a trade-kicker built in. But not no-trade.
don’t know how a trade-kicker works. does anyone know the details?
His salary would get bumped up 15% at the time of the trade.
yikes – that is a lot
At least that’s my understanding of it. I could be wrong.
You are not wrong.
I think the plan is LeBron/Harden short term. Mitchell medium term. Mobley long term. Allen is probably the most expendable of the core if we go searching for another big piece. But also came thru big time in Game 7s this year.
We are gonna have to get creative to get other contributors beyond Merrill & Tyson. Schröder & Strus are probably the lure there. Plus a pick. Maybe Tyson or Allen if it is a bigger swing.
IDK who is out there worthy of a big swing orher than AD, and I hate that idea.
Hachimura to the Clips. 2/$28.
Seems about right on all fronts.
Phili talk shows are concerned that neither Embiid nor Brown has mentioned the other at all since the signing. haha — off to a good start!
One plays. The other rarely does 😜
GOOD POST JASON—— “ DAMNED IF WE DO —— DAMNED IF WE DONT “——-“ ROCtK AND A HARD SPOT “ —- “ PRESENT VS THE FUTURE “ ——— I CAN MAKE VALID POINTS FOR HIS RETURN OR NOT “ ———— CONCERNED ABOUT THE LENGTH OF TIME TO MAKE A DECISION AND LET OTHER POTENTIAL PLAYERS SIGN ELSEWHERE
With the Harden deal, we are fully win now. And while I tend to think, “in for a penny, in for a pound” that can lead you down the road the Bucks just went down.
I think betting on ADs health is a bad bet.
Yeah, betting on AD’s health is beyond desperate IMO. I agree with you. The Bucks got desperate and paid the price by having to sell low on Giannis. It’s walking a tight rope of “go all-in” not turning into “go all-in right off the cliff”. The Cavs are in that spot right now with Mitchell. One big difference? He’s not a #1 guy. And I LOVE Mitchell. But he really can’t be a #1 guy on your team IMO. Too small. (But what about Brunson? An exception does not make a rule.) My position has been with this Cavs team… Read more »
Brunson has/had Hart, Bridges, OG, KAT, and MRob around him. All those guys are big/long or play big for their spots and rebound well (especially Hart, KAT, & MRob). Brunson is short, but wide & strong. He does damage inside and mid-range and can hold up a little down low. You canoot back him under the basket like you can with DG.
A small PG is OK. Tony Parker. A small 2 guard is harder. Because now the whole backcourt is likely small. You have to have a big PG to make it work.
I think that was a lot of the impetus for the Harden deal. The Cavs finally realized the Lollipop Guild backcourt would not work, even with Mobes/Allen/Wade frontcourt.
They needed a bigger PG. Or a bigger 2 guard.
We checked that box. Now we need a real SF, better forward depth, and wing/perimeter defense. And some guys who can hit a post-season 3.
agree DM/DG backcourt was not going to go all the way. but in retrospect, DM/JH is not much better, and trading DG would bring a lot more than trading JH.
The issue isn’t AD’s health so much as his salary.
LeBron can certainly improve the team. He is a huge upgrade from Wade at SF/PF, though I’d have loved to landed both. And obviously one of the best to ever play, though he is no longer at that level. If we’d have had LeBron 2026 level production at SF/PF, I think we win 1 ofcthe Knicks games for sure (game 1), probably 2, and maybe 3.
That being said, he is still manipulative and passive aggressive and I worry about gutting the team in order to get him or effectively making him GM.
Do we have to trade for AD? Sign Bronny? Etc.
But we are not contender level anyway. Though we did take a step forward this year.
all for signing Bronny. absolutely not in favor of trading for AD
Player coach? Only half joking 😅
Lebron did defer to Dwayne Wade when he was at his peak when he joined Miami until Dwayne himself pushed Lebron to be himself. He deferred to Luka last year. I think if he is convinced that Mitchell is better player, he will defer to him. If Cavs sign him without losing any assets, huge plus for Cavs for sure. Hope he signs with Cavs and finishes as Cav, his original franchise and the franchise he will be identified with rest of his life.
I’m 100% on board with the return of LeBron. Word is that he wants to do something that will make him happy. If he joins the Warriors to play with his friends, that’s one kind of happiness. But I don’t think that coming back to Cleveland to hang out with his SVSM friends and get swept in the playoffs would make him happy (and he can visit his friends all he wants in retirement). No, I think if he comes back to the Land, he wants to win, and that would make me happy.
sure. the most likely way for the Cavs to be a contender is a miracle signing of a top forward for the minimum. so most of us are willing to deal with “LeBron Chaos” if it comes.
LEBRON SEEN IN AKRON WITH WEENES
along with most of the other SMSV team. funny how much less excited I am than I was 12 years ago.
anyway, Josh at KJG pointed out that the Cavs have been keeping two roster spots open for the James Gang, which is why they have been quiet in the FA market.
I’m excited at getting a good wing and another playmaker plus a few ring chasers, that’s pretty great for a second apron team.
The circus that follows may get weird but it’s easier for me to get excited about this than like PJ Washington or Cam Johnson or Herb Jones.
AGREE WITH SIMMO——- AM SURE IF / WHEN HE ANNOUNCES HIS DECISION TO RETURN TO THE CAVS—- THE SAME EXCITEMENT WOULD BE GENERATED—— “ LET THE LAST SEASON/ WITH CAVS DOCUMENTARY COMMENCE” 👍👍
HAPPY 4th – 250th TO ALL!!!! ——- BE SAFE/ ENJOY AND AS ALWAYS……….” MORE BEER 🍺 PLEASE “
same to YOU
jump back 12 years to the first summer of “maybe LeBron will return”. remember how excited we were? posting flight plan info for Dan Gilbert’s plane, etc.? those were the days!
doesn’t seem as exciting this time around. not only is LBJ 12 years older, but we know what a pain in the butt he can be. OTOH, it does open an avenue for the Cavs to go all the way, so there is that.
Yeah. I was against it until recently, but feel pessimistic about the Cavs chances to take the next step RN. If they are going to spend a few years in the wilderness, why not enjoy the drama of the Last Dance, and who knows who else might sign as a result. Might even get a swing at a chip?
yup
I just don’t trust him. All his choices to leave. It would be fully in line with him to drag this out all summer and go play somewhere else. Does he actually care at all about retiring a Cav? Who knows.
I CAN PROBABLY LIVE WITH THAT TRADE ESPECIALLY IF “ SHREDDER IS SHREDDED “
🤣
Rumor is Allen + Strus + 1st for Davis. But that trade does not work. Might if you throw in the Umlaut.
Allen was our only dog.
I don’t know, Mobley was a different post-season player this year than before. One of the few guys who neither declined nor just maintained his regular season level but actually raised it – was a better 3pt shooter, contributed crucially clutch offense in several wins, and dominated entire games defensively in a couple other wins. I’m not in love withDavis but giving up Allen at least would hurt the franchise less in the long run than giving up Mobley, and it would finally solve the “two non-shooters” problem. Question is, who fills in when Davis inevitably misses a third of… Read more »
Biggest issue with Davis? He’s played 29 games the past two seasons. I think he’s closer to cooked than not.
Whoa, hadn’t realized he’s missed THAT much time. I would definitely rather see LeBron join somehow while still running back the existing core, instead of making the front court older and less athletic.
Where are you seeing 29 games played in two years? From what I can tell, Davisplayed 20 games last year and 50+ in 24-25. No dispute that he’s a high injury risk based on career track record. Also have to correct myself on him “solving the two non-shooter problem.” He shot 33% from 3 on decent volume in the 2020 title season, and that was consistent with what he’s done in New Orleans previously. But since then he’s never even broken 30%.
Saw this comparison today:
Dwayne Wade -> DM
Chris Bosh -> EM
Ray Allen -> JH
Ray Allen was so much more useful. On the downward arc with Miami, but still.
Wade also played D
yeah, that comparison is trying too hard
Agreed. It was more factual in 2016: Kyrie-DWade, Love-Bosh (not the same defense but better rebounder), JR-Allen.
I think my biggest hangup was Harden. I’m having a hard time thinking Harden can be anywhere near as slippery as Allen off ball.
Wonder how much fire there is to the LeBron to Philly smoke. I think Philly has leapfrogged the Warriors.
He should have eent to Philly last time when Jimmy was there.
AND WE GIVE THEM MOBLEY—— NO THANKS—- WHY WOULD WE GIVE UP MOBLEY NOW—WHEN WE DIDNT EVEN “ WHIMPER “ FOR BROWN OR GIANNIS—— EXCEPT IF LEBRON and GANG ARE BEHIND THIS MOVE———————LiKE I POSTED EARLIER. “ THE LEBRON DOCUMENTARY HAS ALREADY STARTED “ — GOING TO DRAW HIS DECISION OUT
Anthony Davis to the Cavs rumors
A healthy Anthony Davis (if such a thing still exists) is a better player than Mobley.
But no way I give up Mobes for Davis. Sorry, King.
yeah, if they were the same age. in the real world, Davis is a way past his prime, injury plagued, max contract player. no one should give up a top young player for him. and we already have Harden, another guy who long ago was really good, but still has a hefty contract.
FORGOT WE GOT BRANHAM —— WISH PROCTOR WAS PLAYING——GUESS MINNIX STAYING HERE OR SHOWCASING HIS TALENTS TO EURO TEAMS – HE CAN SHOOT!! —-WILL EVALUATE “ OUR SUMMER PRIZE SIGNING—- UDEH —— HOPEFULLY NYQUIL SHOWS IMPROVED 3 PT SHOT MECHANICS——- PROJECTING MALEEK TO “ SHOW OFF HIS 3 PT SHOT “ / TEAR IT UP!!!!
Minix & Tomlin on the Summer League Squad along with Thomas, Enanura, and Udeh. No Proctor. Also Malaki Branham, whom I know some wanted in the draft.
https://www.fearthesword.com/cavs-news/51117/cavs-summer-league-las-vegas-cleveland-cavaliers-nba
more on Brown, Mitchell disagrees:
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/cavs-news-donovan-mitchell-destroys-colin-cowherd-jaylen-brown-disease-claim?fbclid=IwY2xjawSz5TBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFrR0lWc3BHS2dKZ3RKd2dwc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHmrxsUgsnRcLVgidVDdY6HmtpMZhxg9R81l7_bkZC4j977i_oLjWnHfcz90-_aem_O3jA5xsBlKQaAjhS4xHkKA
I am sure this video of Maxey refusing to play with Brown is AI crap, but it is likely how he feels:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1674044237190854
Wow! You REALLY don’t like Jaylen Brown 😅
I am sure that is exaggerated, but those are some of the things players don’t like about Brown.
Remember. LeBron has had a questionable locker room persona over the years. Passive aggressive. Conniving even.
That Jaylen Brown trade reminds me of when the Cavs traded Kyrie. There were reasons – for sure. Even still, not a good trade for the Cavs.
the Kyrie trade was forced by Kyrie, and way too late to make a decent trade, so not a good comparison.
another huge aspect is the player value / player salary ratio. Brown makes a lot more than, say, Mobley. fairly good players with max salaries is the kiss of death in the NBA.
What I heard is that Brown demanded to be traded and Stevens told him not to make a stink about it publicly and he’d get it done.
We shall see…
So far, this past top 8 east teams seem like this to me. Agree or disagree?
Detroit – worse
Boston – worse
New York – worse
Cleveland – worse
Toronto – better
Atlanta – same
Philadelphia – better
Orlando – same
Charlotte -???
Miami – better?
Mostly agree.
Miami getting Giannis makes them better, no question about it for me. Kawhi in Toronto and Brown in Philly make them both much better.
Charlotte trades Ball & Bridges. At least a temporary step back.
I think Detroit is better swapping Collins for Harris. Losing Stewart does not hurt them much with Reed (and Duren) still there.
Phili + and Cleve – on the Wade trade. But the Brown trade is likely to be a disaster — Maxey’s and Edgecomb’s agents are probably working r.n. to get them moved. so I’m rating Phili as worse.
Toronto’s trade is a big gamble. who knows how many games Leonard will play? and he is always involved in shady schemes, and might still get suspended by the league.
I don’t get that Philly take at all..While Brown is not super efficient, he is a huge upgrade. Brown + Wade > PG13 & Oubre. Plus they got Simons. Philly has a tremendous starting 5.
IDK if they have Championship mentality, but they are better. IMHO anyway.
IF HE IS OUR “ MAJOR “ SUMMER SIGNING——— OUCH!!!!
Old news, that was announced days ago, yes?
I thought so too, but it was just announced, so …
Cavs sign Udeh:
https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/rookie/2026/07/02/cavaliers-ernest-udeh-jr-nba-two-way-contract/90773407007/
Game changer 😉
ha-ha!
The East, for me:
1) Knicks
2) 76ers: Maxey, Edgecombe, Brown, Embiid.
3) Raptors.
4/5: Pistons/Cavs
6) Heat
LeBron woukd certainly put us ahead of Detroit & Toronto. But we still need another real forward.
KJG: both sides lost the trade, the 76’ers are now worse:
https://kingjamesgospel.com/cavs-might-be-biggest-winner-of-jaylen-brown-trade
😂 That “analysis” is humorous. The sixers replace a guy with a more talented (in their current stages) and way more available guy. At worst it’s neutral for the 76ers. At worst.
How quickly people forget that Brown has a ring and carried a crippled team through what most deemed a “gap year”. Give me the actions over the words.
not at all. adding a headcase can destroy a team. they will be trying to get rid of him by midseason
I’ll take the “head case” Finals MVP. Thanks.
Boston was willing to trade him for anyone.
a couple “advances stats” are very damning. e.g., the team is much worse when he is on the floor vs. off the floor, and much worse in games he plays vs. games he doesn’t play.
And somehow he has a ring, won finals MVP and took a depleted roster to have a good season. I’m sure it all happened when he was off the floor because that’s what the stats tell us.
KJG are idiots.
they are idiots at least 50% of the time — clickbait trash. now and then they have something good floating amidst the crap.
Honestly the East landscape to me looks more promising than this time last year. Boston for years was the Cavs’ toughest matchup and appeared an insuperable obstacle; but the C’s have taken a huge step back. The Knicks are the favorite, but the recent track record of Finalists repeating is terrible, in both conferences. Even the Thunder didn’t make it back this year. The Knicks’ path to the title wasn’t the hardest of grinds; but, they are old. Every notable Knicks player is 30+ except Anunoby, and he turns 29 this month; plus they’ve lost some of their depth. I… Read more »
yeah, the Knicks got hot at the right time, no more — no less. recall that with a couple weeks to go, they were about tied with the Cavs in the EC. nevertheless, they are the team to beat
VERY GOOD POINTS BOB SPONGE——— AM SURE LEBRON / ALL INVOLVED ALREADY ARE “ FILMING PART OF HIS “ LAST SEASON DOCUMENTARY “ “ — WHY LEBRON / ECT WILL PROLONG HIS DECISION
WHERE DID YOU HEAR THIS JASON
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/lebron-james-sweepstakes-down-two-161441911.html
From a Warriors reporter/insider.
THE CELTICS GOT POOR GRADE ON BROWN TRADE —— KNICK FANS/ PLAYERS NOT HAPPY WITH ROBINSON GONE ——- THE “ TORCH IS BEING HANDED OFF “—- 3 Years AGO HARDEN / BUTLER/ GEORGE/ DURANT / PZORZINGUS / IRVING WERE ALL ON THE TOP OF PLAYERS TO PURSUE— NOT SO ANYMORE—— I LOVE ME SOME SPIDA BUT CAN SEE IN 3 DEFINITELY 4 YEARS HIS VALUE DROPPING DRASTICALLY
That Brown trade makes me smile because that seems like panic by the Celtics. Terrible trade for them IMO. (Also, if I’m a Detroit fan, I’ve got to be scratching my head about why my tram didn’t get Brown if that was the price)
Makes me smile at what the Lakers did. Generally all in on a mid roster with no draft assets for years to come.
I’m guessing LeBron is back for one more Cleveland ride. Would likely be fun.
LeBron supposedly down to Warriors and Cavs.
I would assume if we sign him, and Harden, then we are obviously all-in for this year. And would not want to be hard capped at the 1st apron ($209 mil). Signing Harden will likely push us way over.
We do have a some trade exceptions and, at the moment, the MLE. But using them could hard cap us.
Re: Harden/apron/etc. This is from prior to July 1, when the new tax year started.
https://www.si.com/nba/cavaliers/onsi/cavaliers-guard-james-harden-declines-player-option-expected-to-re-sign-01kwag3bvbfq?page_source=v_recirc
More on that. If there is a cap hold, I don’t get how him declining got us under the 2nd apron.
https://www.news-herald.com/2026/06/29/james-harden-declines-player-option-cavaliers-no-longer-in-second-apron/
there’s no cap hold according to spotrac, shouldn’t be either cuz Harden is a UFA
he’s wasn’t a free agent, he was under contract then had an option to decline to become UFA…. because of the hand shake agreement, everybody knows he’s going to figure into the cap eventually is why i guess everybody’s just assuming.
Do we think there are useful ring chasing big men that will sign cheaply to play w LeBron (and the rest of the Cavs)? Emphasis on “useful”. Say actual rotation guys that are significantly more effective than Thomas Bryant or LNJ. Who are they?
Dray….?
Soooo… Unless Koby & friends pull a rabbit out of their hat, it looks like the only big move available is signing LeBron? That would be a cool sentimental move. And, even at 41 years old, LeBron is a force to reckon with, no doubt. But that being THE move this off season seems like Cavs management being delusional about the past few seasons. Or maybe that’s the best move for them? Give the fans a great story and if you stay together and healthy, maybe magic happens in the playoffs. Maybe.
I lean toward them being delusional…….but hope springs eternal.
yeah, every year 29 of the 30 NBA teams are delusional.
Boston and Detroit are worse than last year.
NY had an insanely hot run but it won’t last.
Indiana lost a ton.
NY and CLE are co favorites again
It’s going to be interesting. I’m of the opinion that you either go all-in or sell as high as you’re likely to get on most of the remaining roster. So far, this off season seems to be about taking the middle road.
The FA period is a day old and the only deal we might regret missing out on is a Giannis rental. Give it a week.
A Strus / Schroder transaction is most likely multi party and tricky and the LBJ return is going to be on his time, and he always makes us wait.
Meanwhile, Allen and Mobley look more and more valuable as we see crazy overpays for worse Cs.
I will say I am glad we didn’t trade Ev for Brown.
But we need two forwards.
FA period starts waaay before the official start date. That’s why it’s so many transactions happen in the first 24 hours.
It’s a weak FA class and the Cavs don’t have the cap space anyway. So far I’m disappointed they didn’t sign Wade. But let’s see what they do going forward here.
absolutely. all the people trying to give away Allen and Mobley are tripping.
avoiding doing anything dumb goes a long way. the dumbest thing the Cavs have done lately is trading LeVert and Niang for Hunter. dunno how that happened, not realizing that Hunter is worthless. now we will probably have to give up some draft choices to get rid of the Umlaut and get back to zero.
what do you mean “go all in”? the Cavs have no assets to make a big move with, so they have to tinker
You trade Mobley for a true #1 guy. That is an all in move. High risk, high reward.
The Cavs are about to face a reality of their best player being 6’2″ and demanding $70m a year. That is a risk that I’m not sure has sunk in yet.
You don’t think Collins is an upgrade on Harris?
No, not really. I like Collins a ton but there’s no way he replicates Harris’ wild playoff run.
Mike Gansey doing work for Philly. Brown and Wade.
yeah, many/most commentators regard Boston trading Brown as the worst trade in recent memory.
because Boston usually makes smart trades, one suspects that either Brown is going downhill fast or is a worse headcase than he looks. one of many reasons why trading Mobley for Brown would have been a disaster. if they had, what would you do with Mitchell, Harden, and Brown on the floor at once, cut the ball into three pieces?
however, consider this deep dive on Brown being vastly overrated:
https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/did-the-celtics-give-away-jaylen-brown-why-analytics-dont-see-phillys-new-star-as-elite-of-elite-004011270.html
1. Knicks
2. 76ers
3. Raptors
4. Pistons
5. Cavs
6. Heat
7. Celtics
8. Pacers
Healthy we are 2. Kawhi and Embiid certainly won’t be, and we just beat the Pistons.
Jaylen Brown to Sixers for Paul George and bunch of picks.
Two firsts and 2 seconds.
Gotta think Philly jumps us with that, but Boston slips.
Don’t worry. Some here will tell you Mobley seals the deal for the good guys because he’s tall and young 😉
Tomlin is the best forward we have on the team.
Betting on Wade, Maxey and Embiid’s health is better than Philly was before but man
Cavs sign Thomas to a 4 year deal. 3 of them guaranteed. He is making the team for sure. At the moment:
Harden, Mitchell, Strus, Mobley, Allen.
Schröder, Merrill, Tyson, Tomlin, Bryant.
CPJ, Thomas, Proctor, ???, ???
2 way: Udeh (Enanura)
So far, a worse roster unless some of the younger guys take some leaps.
No doubt.
FA not done, but we are certainly wirse than when we started.
Wade hurts. Ellis doesn’t imo. Let’s let it play out
MRob away from Knicks to Celtics.
LEBRON WILL “ LINGER “ IT OUT FOR MEDIA PURPOSES—— MEANWHILE IF CAVS WAIT—THEY COULD LOSE OUT
If have the MLE we can find someone as good as Wade.
Koby seldom does nothing
Pistons signed Collins to play PF. Tobias Harris to Spurs.
SOME MEDIA HAVE CAVS / ATKINSON PURSUING KUMINGA/ HAWKS—- “ THAT OVER USED / SCARY WORD “ POTENTIAL “ IS APPLICABLE
I think most of our eggs are in the LeBron basket.
I think Brown (rumor has it Boston eant 4 FRPs) and Kuminga are plan B & C.
Say we sign Harden for 30 APY. 2/60. But less in the first year, say 27/33. If we shopped out Schröder & Strus (and got nothing but cuttable contracts back) we’d be back at around $180 mil.
$30 mil under the first apron. Though using the full $15 mil MLE would then hard cap us. Gotta think LeBron & Kuminga are well above that.
And beyond that $15 mil MLE, the only way we have to sign more talent would be vet mins, trades, and I think we could sign guys into existing exceptions? The new rules confuse me. No more Larry Coon.
AGREED NATE 😜🤪——- DO WE PART WITH “ SHREDDER “ —-AM SURE WE WILL HAVE TO “ SWEETEN THE POT “ FOR THAT TO HAPPEN—— STAY TUNED————— AM “ PUTTING MONEY “ LEBRON TO HEAT OR DUBS ———- HOPE I AM WRONG—— ANOTHER MEDIA OUTLET ONCE AGAIN MENTIONED HOW MUCH MORE LeBRON WOULD MAKE IF HIS LAST SEASON DOCUMENTARY IS WITH THE CAVS —— THAT IS OUR “ ACE IN THE HOLE “
Did not have the Lakers going “Mozgov/Luol Deng 2026” on my bingo card. Lose LeBron, two firsts, two swaps for Sexton/mamu/Kessler/Grimes is Jim Buss dumb. I’d have probably given them Allen/Schröder for LeBron/Rui plus these picks (or even just 2-3). Just comical.
Pelinka remembered it was between Memorial Day and Labor Day so he went all white.
With Wade and Ellis gone, we can renounce all our FAs (and their cap holds) and are sitting in $183 mil in cap with the first apron at $209.
Using the full MLE would hard cap us at the first apron. I’d recommend using *almost* all of it on a FA. Then we can circle back for Harden.
For me: Spida, Mobley, Allen, then Harden. Then Merrill & Tyson. Then Strus.
You can’t circle back. Once you renounce Harden’s cap hold you lose his bird rights. You have to negotiate all this before hand then execute it.
Harden does not have a cap hold as he declined a PO. That is the whole point of him doing that.
https://www.spotrac.com/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/cap/_/year/2026
Maybe spotrac has it wrong?
I thought what you think on this initially, Nate, but I am relying on Spotrac here. Which is iffy.
If you have this right Nate, then we’d want to sign Harden first. As his cap hold will be 150% of his old salary and his new deal should be well under that.
In the Jaylen Brown front, Shams is saying the value for Brown is not what Boston expected or wanted or was asking for. The question now is if they or willing to trade him for 40 cents on the dollar or if they can find a team to meet their price. Or if they just mend fences and make moves around the edges.
They obviously dangled him in pursuit of Giannis, and the Bucks preferred Miami’s offer. He obviously did not appreciate that too much.
His reaction confirms that he’s a douche. Cannot handle the reality of being a part of a professional market, but I’m sure he doesn’t hate the money.
rough estimate of odds for LeBron coming to Cavs:
prior to yesterday, I estimated a 50% of LeBron staying with the Lakers, and divided the other 50% evenly four ways: Cavs, Heat, Dubs, none of the above. so, one chance in eight. readjusting to the Lakers being out of the running gives one chance in four.
refinements welcome!
Honestly cannot see why he would go GSW, except for location purposes. For legacy, it’s gotta be Heat or Cavs. Heat seem to be building to contending, so I think that’s where he goes. I don’t think he’s interested in hanging out on a mid team, whether the club used to be home or not.
SF is a long way from LA
You saying he’s going to the Clippers?
PEAT
AGREED JASON—- ALTHOUGH HONESTLY I WILL TAKE MALEEK OVER POAT
must have something cooking not to have resigned Wade.
Altman has always been pretty solid this time of year re: the cooking theory, but I wonder if they just thought Dean was asking too much. Time will tell I guess.
He was making $8 mil and signed for less than $10. That is not a huge bump.
Perhaps the length.
But letting him walk is a poor move, IMHO.
I did not like the pick, either.
Certainly things are not done yet, so hard to judge, but not a great start.
Wade was making 6 I thought?
That was before Gansey left.
yeah, this might be a difference maker. has he been replaced?
From everything I’ve heard I’d expect that the Cavs will promote from within again. Gansey was GM mainly in title only. Not to diminish his contributions (which honestly I have no clue about) but Koby got rewarded with a promotion as president, and for all intents an purposes retained GM responsibilities. Gansey was given GM title as a promotion mainly to keep him with the organization. I’d love some insight on what he actually did. He clearly is well respected though considering his offer from Philly.
If Altman does not have a forward (or two ot three) up his sleeve than this looks really dumb.
As does not picking Peat at #29.
And Wade signs w Sixers. 4 yrs/$39M. Doesn’t seem too rich.
Yep. That sucks. Out best defensive wing/forward by a ton. For $10 mil.
Ellis to Nets.
We could have paid that for Dean and still had the full MLE for LeBron.
Good for Wade! Bad for Cavs
Well shit.
KEON SIGNED WITH THE NETS — SOME MONEY FOR WADE ? ——
2 yrs/$18M for Keon.
AGREED SIMMO— MEMORY OF THAT DAY ( other than the date 🤪) IS ETCHED IN MY MEMORY WE WERE AT A GOLF OUTING WHEN THE NEWS BROKE—— THERE WAS NO MORE GOLFING JUST AN “ ARMADA “ OF GOLF CARTS RACING TO THE 19th HOLE————- DO WE GET A REPLAY ??
Last stop Cleveland for LeBron.