On June 25 2013 13:21 RowdierBob wrote: Yeah it apparently hasn't gone very far (Bulls/Wiz talks).
I'm reading the Blazers turned down the #1 and #19 picks from the Cavs for LMA.
I think they don't want to stay "rebuilding" for a long time. Although it shows the Cavs are serious about both shopping that pick and making the playoffs this year.
It's unlikely anyone from this draft will be better than LMA. And the guy is still only 27 so his best years are to come.
Here's a viable, albeit risky, proposition for the Cavs: #1 pick for DeMarcus Cousins. Apparently the Kings are taking offers for him.
Who says yes/no and why? Is Cousins more Derrick Coleman (unfulfilled potential) or ZBo (late bloomer)?
Or perhaps they could lower their standards (and keep the #1 pick) by putting together a S&T package for Paul Milsap. Or work something with the Bucks for Ersan Ilyasova.
Sneaky edit: let's hope the Cavs don't do something stupid like sign Al Jefferson or Josh Smith to a ridiculous contract if they really are looking for a solid veteran big man.
They're looking to win this year, which is why I've heard reports that if they keep the pick they wouldn't pick Noel. I might consider a DMC trade, partially because I think I've been higher on him than most people, and I think that his current lack of success has a lot to do with him being part of a poisonous organization.
For a third in this draft? Since the inly known commodity would be the cheap labour of a lottery pick, it would have to be something equally as shitty and come from a cheap owner, ilyasova, gortat, are two good guesses. Dmc is worth to much to an org in shambles to just give him up for a pick
I also think bargs and deandre could work out, but both are way overpaid, and im not sure how other assets would line up due to them being way overpaid
Can't fault the Cavs' pluck. Apparently offered #1, Waiters and Tristan Thompson to the Wolves for Love. Wolves, rightly IMO, declined. Can't hurt to ask but Love is a legit top 20 player. No way the Wolves would flip him even after the disastrous 2013.
Since they're ramping up their expectations, I expect they'll now put in an impossible bid for Blake Griffin or Anthony Davis.
They have Kyrie and not much else. Varejao is good but gets injured too often to be a reliable piece for the Cavs. Thompson and Waiters have shown glimpses but could go either way. Thompson I thought was a bust but showed some decent improvement towards the end of the year. Waiters looks like he can score the ball but showed worrying blackhole tendencies from the limited games I saw of him. Doesn't offer much in rebounding or passing either. Needs to work on his efficiency and adding to his all-round abilities.
I think the Cavs are a long way from making the Playoffs. They'd need to get a pretty impressive haul this off-season to improve much from the 24 wins in 2013. Even if they could swing a major deal with the #1 pick (which looks unlikely) their depth is just awful. You've got to have a deep enough roster to sustain the grind of an NBA season and the Cavs don't have much talent right now outside of a few young project guys.
Whatever happens, it's still going to be a lean year for the Cavs in '14. It's probably worth bottoming out for another year, getting a solid 2014 pick, and then going nuts in the 2014 FA season. They probably have the best cap situation in the NBA so at least have a lot of options (which is why they're being so aggressive in shopping the #1 pick).
It actually makes sense for them to ship the #1 pick for a high-calibre big man if they're serious about re-recruiting LeBron.
LeBron's only going to go to a situation that is ripe for contention (if he does leave Miami). Heading to a Cavs teams with say Kyrie/Love (even though it didn't happen) is much more likely to sway LeBron than a team with Kyrie and project players like Thompson/Waiters/Noel (or whomever they draft).
Kyrie can't take the cavs to a championship, even with pieces. They'd need a bigger piece than Kyrie for any shot. Not sure how impatient Kyrie is, but they should really look at 2-3 years and just be hoping they can maybe make 8th place this year.
I don't think the two offers (for LMA and Love) have been that bad. They're by no means stupid deals that should not be considered.
But at the same time you can understand why Minny and Portland would refuse. Minny hasn't had a chance to get a full season out of the Love/Rubio combo yet and obv wants to see what they can do. They tanked for years and finally got a star in Love. It would be silly for them to go back to the rebuild now (even if Love is likely to bolt once he hits UFA in '16). I'd rather hold onto Love and see what they can do in the next three seasons with a bit of luck.
For the Blazers, it's close-ish too. I think they refused because they already have a decent starting team and really need to acquire more depth than anything. They have a really competitive starting line-up but lack a good defensive C and bench. The #1 and #19, whilst tempting, didn't suit the current roster's needs.
It looks like they're eager to bolster the roster with an established star to help in their 2014 FA recruitment. They're probably being a tad overambitious at the moment but it can be better to ask than never know. I don't think it's hurting them making these offers.
On June 26 2013 12:05 Itsmedudeman wrote: Kyrie can't take the cavs to a championship, even with pieces. They'd need a bigger piece than Kyrie for any shot. Not sure how impatient Kyrie is, but they should really look at 2-3 years and just be hoping they can maybe make 8th place this year.
I dunno, I see him being at CP3's level if he keeps improving like he has been. Kid is a bona fide superstar. Give him the right players around him and who knows?
On June 26 2013 12:05 Itsmedudeman wrote: Kyrie can't take the cavs to a championship, even with pieces. They'd need a bigger piece than Kyrie for any shot. Not sure how impatient Kyrie is, but they should really look at 2-3 years and just be hoping they can maybe make 8th place this year.
I dunno, I see him being at CP3's level if he keeps improving like he has been. Kid is a bona fide superstar. Give him the right players around him and who knows?
I'm just predicting it's gonna take 2-3 years before he reaches that level.