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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CLEVELAND, OH – FEBRUARY 7: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves joke with each other between plays during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on February 7, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Timberwolves 140-138 in overtime. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – FEBRUARY 7: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves joke with each other between plays during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on February 7, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Timberwolves 140-138 in overtime. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Hypothetical One:

Irving is on the Cavs this offseason. LeBron leaves. Cleveland mends the relationship with him, telling him he was right the whole time. LeBron would never commit and now he’s gone.

You say, “Kyrie, you’ve got the experience, the star power, and the talent to carry this franchise for the rest of your career.”

Cleveland promises him the super-max next season, and they build the team around him—already with a head start in Love.

Kyrie talks to the other stars who want to play with him, like Butler.

The year goes on with Kyrie and Love. Pieces like J.R. and Kyle Korver fit much better. Vegas gives Cleveland a much better over/under than 30.5. They make the playoffs. And, in the weaker East, they remain a Finals contender.

Then, in the following offseason, a third star commits to teaming up with them. Irving takes his supermax. And for the next few years, the Cavs are a juggernaut.

Hypothetical Two:

The relationship between the Cavs and Irving is irreparable. Cleveland trades him for a first-round pick. They extend Love the same way they did this season. They do poorly, keep their 1-10 pick away from the Atlanta Hawks, and they select a lottery talent in the 2019 draft.

The Cavs then have a high-level prospect on a team with Love, and now only one-year left with players that no longer fit, like J.R.

They’re practically in the same position they are right now, talking themselves into the future with a top ten selection—but without the weirdness of Rodney Hood.