Playing Kobe Altman for a Day: How to re-start the Cleveland Cavaliers
Onto the fireworks!
All right. I’m Kobe Altman. I should trade LeBron James and Kyrie Irving (at the minimum), and I should probably look to trade Tristan Thompson, JR Smith, Channing Frye, and Richard Jefferson as well. I might want to trade Kevin Love, but he seems content and is on a “valuable” contract by my metrics. So, who am I targeting?
I am targeting: Kawhi Leonard, Giannis, Rudy Gobert, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, Damian Lillard, and Mike Conley. Here is the rub, though. LeBron is not going to New Orléans, Utah, or Memphis. Would LeBron go to the Spurs? Possibly. So, here’s the craziest trade you’ve ever seen (and why it works for everyone involved).
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Cleveland Cavaliers
Cavaliers lose: G, Kyrie Irving, F, LeBron James, F Channing Frye
Cleveland Cavaliers get: G, Mike Conley, G, Giannis Antetokounmpo, F Kawhi Leonard
Cleveland’s Lineup:
PG – Mike Conley, Jose Calderon, Kay Felder
SG – Giannis Anteteokounmpo, JR Smith, Iman Shumpert
SF – Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Korver
PF – Kevin Love, Richard Jefferson
C – Tristan Thompson, Edy Tavares
Why it works: Cleveland doesn’t want to blow it up, not after three Finals appearances. LeBron James value is incredibly high. Kyrie Irving is one of the best ball handlers and playmakers in the game. If I, Kobe Altman, am going to trade the best player of my generation, then I am going to get the best return. The Cavs do this without blinking, and they would give up picks for the next 7 years because everyone is under contract forever. This lineup is incredible, and they cruise to the Finals.
Cleveland Cavaliers
San Antonio Spurs
Spurs lose: F, Kawhi Leonard, F, LaMarcus Aldridge, G Tony Parker
San Antonio Spurs get: F, LeBron James, C, Marc Gasol, G Matthew Dellavedova
Spur’s Lineup:
PG – Dejounte Murray, Matthew Dellavedova, Brandon Paul
SG – Danny Green, Manu Ginobili, Derrick White
SF – LeBron James, Rudy Gay
PF – Pau Gasol, Joffrey Lauvergne, Davis Bertrans
C – Marc Gasol, David Lee
Why it works: The Spurs are never rebuilding, just retooling. This year, the Spurs team looks a little worse for wear than normal. It’s time to refresh. Trading Kawhi is tough to swallow, but not when it gets you LeBron. Swapping LaMarcus Aldridge for Marc Gasol is a huge win here, as the Gasol brothers playing together would be great. Handing over the point guard reigns to Dejounte Murray now and cutting losses on Parker’s expiring contract makes sense. The Spurs get better here, and LeBron gets his buddy Dellavedova to backup Murray. No way San Antonio says no. They give up a first rounder as well.
Milwaukee Bucks
Bucks lose: G, Giannis Antetokounmpo, C, Greg Monroe, C Spencer Hawes, G, Matthew Dellavedova
Milwaukee Bucks get: G, Kyrie Irving, F, LaMarcus Aldridge,
Milwaukee’s Lineup:
PG – Kyrie Irving, Malcolm Brogdon
SG – Kris Middleton, Rashad Vaughn
SF – Jabari Parker, Tony Snell
PF – LaMarcus Aldridge, Mirza Teletovic,
C – Thon Maker, John Henson
Why it works: The Bucks are pretty close. They are very young, and Monroe isn’t working out. Shedding Monroe’s contract and giving up Giannis to get Irving and Aldridge would be a tough sell for Bucks fans. But, they can unleash a Brogdon/Irving backcourt and play around with all of their incredibly versatile pieces. Aldridge is a huge upgrade over Monroe, and while Giannis is definitely better than Irving, he’s not the point guard they need. This is mostly a wash for Milwaukee, and they get out of two bad contracts while upgrading at multiple positions.
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Memphis Grizzlies
Grizzlies lose: G, Mike Conley, C, Marc Gasol
Memphis Grizzlies get: C, Greg Monroe, PG, Tony Parker, F, Channing Frye, F, Spencer Hawes, three 1st round picks
Memphis’s Lineup:
PG: Tony Parker, Andrew Harrison, Mario Chalmers
SG: Wayne Selden, Troy Daniels
SF: Chandler Parsons, James Ennis III
PF: Brandan Wright, Channing Frye, Jarrell Martin
C: Spencer Hawes, Deyonta Davis
Why it works: Memphis is ready to blow it up. Why not give Marc Gasol and Mike Conley chances for a championship? So, you can’t get rid of Parsons’ albatross contract, but you can get four guys who are serviceable on expiring contracts who are gone in a year. You can even buy them out if you want. Then, you tank, get picks from every team, and start a nice 2018 and beyond rebuild. It’s tough after years in the playoffs, but this is happening sooner than later, why not now?
Must Read: Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 trades involving Kyrie Irving
Is this realistic?
As a Cleveland Cavaliers writer, this is not a realistic trade. On paper, it looks great for everyone involved, but there’s just too much complication, and I doubt that the Cavs actually trade LeBron James. Everyone loves their “generational” talent, and it would be tough to ask Milwaukee and San Antonio to give up their two stars just for other stars. In a hyper-ideal world where Cleveland is the center of the Universe, I, Kobe Altman, would do this trade today.