King James Gospel
Fansided

Don’t kid yourself, the Cavs did not win the Kyrie Irving trade

By Doug Patrick

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 28: Kyrie Irving
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 28: Kyrie Irving /
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OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 03: George Hill #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts against the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 3, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 03: George Hill #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts against the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 3, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Hypotheticals, but in the other direction

If we want to play the hypothetical game, then we should also look at what could’ve been had Cleveland not traded him.

But before we do that, let’s build some context:

LeBron still leaves this offseason. His lengthy contract with the Lakers, as well as the pieces they’ve surrounded him with, show that winning another championship was not the basis of his decision. The Cavs holding onto the No.8 pick rather than flipping it for more talent only confirms this.

Kevin Love is 29-years-old, and there’s likely only a two- or three-year window of him playing at an All-Star level. Irving is still only 26-years-old, with a three- to five-year window.

Sexton is 19-years-old. He will not enter his prime for another three- to five-years.

A window of contention with Love fits much more with Irving than it does with Sexton.

And without LeBron, $19-milion per year George Hill, and $12-million per year Jordan Clarkson, the Cavs would have cap space open to sign a star in a loaded upcoming 2019 free agent class.

Back in 2014, Irving had recruited players like Gordon Hayward to come to Cleveland before LeBron signed. And now, Jimmy Butler and Irving are musing over what could be. Clearly, other stars want to play with him.

Here’s where the hypotheticals start.