The Cleveland Cavaliers are finally winning the NBA offseason.
The Cleveland Cavaliers offseason, up until the point where Kyrie Irving was traded, was one of the most underwhelming in team history.
However, the Irving trade changed everything for the Cavaliers. The free agent signings of Jeff Green, Jose Calderon and Derrick Rose, now look so much better. These players – along with Jae Crowder and possibly even promising center Ante Zizic – will bolster the Cavaliers struggling bench unit.
The improved bench is not the only cure for Cavaliers ailments provided by the Irving trade. The addition of Crowder bolsters the Cavaliers defense while providing LeBron James with a backup that will allow him to get much-needed rest. Both these issues, the Cavs’ lack of defense and James’ ever-increasing workload, severely hampered the Cavaliers quest for a championship during the 2016-17 postseason.
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The Irving trade doesn’t have to signify the end of the Cavs wheeling and dealing – and with 17 players set to be on their roster after the trade the Cavs will have to make some type of corresponding roster move.
The team is now suddenly in a position where they can trade assets such as Iman Shumpert and Channing Frye for a solid rotation piece or cap relief in anticipation of offering James and Thomas, more money next season. With the arrival of Crowder, the Cavs now have a dependable three-and-D player and Shumpert’s dwindling importance has taken another hit.
If the team feels more ambitious they can package Shumpert or Frye along with Kevin Love for a star. This star might better complement James and the crew than Love, the headliner in the would be trade, ever did.
Isn’t it a wonderful turnaround for the team to now have desirable trade assets?
In addition, Dwayne Wade reaching a buyout agreement with the Chicago Bulls is seen as “inevitable” according to ESPN’s Nick Friedell. It’s easier to sell Wade on this new roster as genuine title contender than it would have been selling him on the previous roster. Especially if Irving, who didn’t want to be in Cleveland, was still on the team.
If Wade carefully surveys the league, he should come to the conclusion that the Cavaliers present him with the best opportunity outside of the Golden State Warriors to get back to the NBA Finals.
Wade’s veteran leadership and abilities would keep the Cavaliers at the top of the heap in the Eastern Conference. Wade would, once again, get to combine forces with a player who helped him secure two additional rings.
Why wouldn’t Wade say yes to this possibility?
Last year, Isaiah Thomas was often accused of being the most overrated player in the Eastern conference by some Cavs fans. These accusations often turned to ridicule as would be evident to anyone reading the comments section of blog posts which had Isaiah as the subject matter. However, after the Irving trade the accusations and ridicule have rightfully been dismissed as the fan version of trash talk.
Thomas, has a flare for the dramatic and will be a player on a mission this upcoming season. “The Mighty IT”, the 60th pick in the 2011 draft will be motivated to prove himself to the NBA yet again.
Initially, he had to prove that he belonged in the league. This time around, he has to prove that his last season as a Celtic was no fluke and he is a legitimate NBA superstar.
A motivated Isaiah Thomas is going excite Cavs Nation and set “the Land” ablaze with belief.
This is a joyous time for Cavs fans but, following the example of the front office, reality must reign supreme. The Irving trade provides insurance in the event that LeBron exits Cleveland, an event widely anticipated by the league’s national audience.
The front office couldn’t afford to take any chances and get caught unprepared for a LeBron exit as they were back in 2010. Crowder and the Brooklyn Nets unprotected first-round pick are insurance in the event LeBron does exit the Cavaliers. Beyond Crowder and the Brooklyn pick, the Cavaliers have their own 2018 pick and players that they can mushroom into a trade for an available star.
The team now has a starting caliber replacement for LeBron on the roster. The amount of years that Crowder has left on his contract must have played a significant role in the Cavaliers acceptance of him as a trade piece. Crowder can back up LeBron this season and replace him next season, if LeBron heads elsewhere in free agency.
In addition, if Thomas pans out then they can use him as candy to attract their desired free agents or intended trade targets. Players do after all want to play with stars. The Cavaliers are poised to have a great season with LeBron this season and a formidable season without him if he exits in the summer of 2018.
The Cavaliers front office deserves a great deal of credit for how the offseason has turned out thus far. The front office has seemingly addressed every issue that concerned the Cavaliers. A disgruntled Irving was flipped for Thomas, Zizic, Crowder and the Brooklyn Nets unprotected 2018 first-round pick. A king’s ransom.
Koby Altman has, so far, done a great job as general manager. He has put emotion aside, and done what is best for the team today and going forward. The Cleveland Cavaliers franchise is definitely in the hands of an able general manager.
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