Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cavs should tank but not now

The Cleveland Cavaliers have all the control in the way they tank if that’s the path they choose to go down. How should they use that control though?

Just like the Portland Trail Blazers, Washington Wizards, and other teams, the Cleveland Cavaliers, as the plan stands now, plan to be a perennial playoff team. Sounds great, right?

Well, in an age were superstars willingly create superteams, the elite mid-level teams like these hardly ever have a real chance at the ultimate prize, the Larry O’ Brien trophy. For that reason, the Cleveland Cavaliers should blow it up, but they need to wait.

Meaning, the Cavaliers can trade their assets however they see fit, allowing their players time to increase their value.

Unlike the 2011 Cavaliers, who had no coveted assets, the 2019 Cavs do have several players that could entice opposing teams.

JR Smith and Tristan Thompson, who are partially dinged for their contracts, could be worth second-round picks while Kevin Love and Rodney Hood could be worth first-round picks. Other players like Nance Jr., Hill, and Jordan Clarkson have value on the market.

Clarkson, Hood, Love, and Hill all were more successful before joining the King in Cleveland. While that’s not a shocker due to the amount of pressure that comes with playing on a true contender, it does mean that this season the Cavaliers could re-establish these players as stars.

That said, the Cavalier management doesn’t necessarily have to blow up the team in order to trade their value.

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With enough young assets to sustain a relevant roster, the Cavaliers should tank. But, they need to do it in a controlled way.

Their first move must be to enhance their tradeable player’s value.

Showcase JR Smith is a playmaking light and allow Kevin Love to be a featured weapon in the offense for once. Tristan Thompson and George Hill also could see an uptick in their value just by playing them in their obvious role. At the same time, playing Clarkson would allow his value to recover a bit from a horrific postseason.

Ultimately, step one is actually matching any reasonable offer for Rodney Hood. At 25, the Cavs must retain elite young talent. Hood, Clarkson, Sexton, Nance Jr., and Osman are really the only five that this applies too.

While it’s reported that Sexton is the only “untouchable” Cavalier, it’d be idiotic for the team to deal any of their young assets.

However, a team like Philadelphia could be in search for shooting in Korver or playmaking in Love. As it stands, those players are still Cavaliers though.

Next: Cleveland Cavaliers: Top 30 all-time greatest players

This time around is different. The Cavaliers have players that have value. They can control their own destiny.