The Cleveland Cavaliers are having a difficult off season. General Manager David Griffin's contract was not renewed; Lebron James has not lobbied hard for players to join the Cavs; and Kyrie Irving has asked to be traded. What's going on here?
Griffin helped guide the Cavaliers to three straight trips to the NBA finals including an NBA championship. James was supposedly surprised by the decision to not renew Griffin's contract. The Cavs expressed interest in Chauncey Billups becoming the new general manager. However, Billups has no front office experience. Talks did not lead to a contract.
One wonders why owner Dan Gilbert decided not to renew Griffin's contract. Some speculate that Gilbert is anticipating the end of James' time in Cleveland. Maybe he wants to begin a rebuilding effort with another GM. Still, it's hard to understand why the Cavs would not renew the contract of a GM who has presided over three straight Eastern Conference titles.
James, who is signed for next season, usually lobbies for top free agents to join the team he is on. He did this when he was with Miami, and he has done this as a member of the Cavaliers. However, he has not done the same for this offseason. Could James be looking to leave after next year? Some believe that James wants to join the Lakers after next season. James has acting aspirations and may like to finish his career in Hollywood.
Irving has expressed the desire to be the focal point of his own team. Supposedly, he is tired of playing along side James. However, for the three years that Irving played without James, the Cavs were one of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference. So far, Irving has not proven that he can carry a team or even be the focal point of a team. In any event, Irving would like to take his talents elsewhere and be the major superstar of another team.
Many question the timing of Irving's request. Why not wait until after next year when James may bolt for tinsel town? Irving is only 24 years of age, so he has many years to be the go to superstar of a team. Why not finish this current run in Cleveland? Only the Golden State Warriors are better than the Cavs. So, why not try one more year to win a title in Cleveland?
According to Chris Chavez of Sports Illustrated, "Irving was growing unpleased with Lebron James controlling the ball more than him. He was also upset that James had a friend that would travel with the team." However, in the years that they have played together Irving has had the basketball almost as much as James. ESPN points out that Irving led the team in shots per game and that it was the first time in James' career that he did not lead the team in shots per game. Also, Irving averaged over 24 points per game. So, Irving figured prominently in the team's offense. Additionally, Irving is not a top flight defender. He is a good offensive player, but an average to below average defender. James is a better all around player.
Irving has said he would like to be traded to the Miami Heat, the Minnesotta Timberwolves or the New York Knicks. It's hard for a team to get equal value for a top notch player like Irving. The T-Wolves will not part with Karl Anthony Towns who had a break out season last year. Perhaps, the T- Wolves would be willing to trade Andrew Wiggins. It would make no sense for Minnesotta to trade Jimmy Butler, whom they just acquired from Chicago.
Dave McMenamin thinks the T-Wolves will land Irving. McMenamin says "A trade package centered on Andrew Wiggins would be a poetic twist on the CAVS roller coaster ride since 2014. Jimmy Butler and Karl Anthony Towns, sources tell me, have been lobbying both Irving and the Wolves' decision makers to make a trade happen." Irving, Butler and Towns would be an interesting trio for Minnesota to build around.
Ramona Shelburne thinks Irving will be traded to the Heat. Shelburne says "Pat Riley and Andy Ellsburg are both creative and bold enough to find a way to get this done." Maybe the Heat can put together a package of draft picks and players that Cleveland finds acceptable.
According to reports, Irving's preference is the Knicks. Dan Feldman,of NBC sports, understands why Irving wants to join the Knicks. Feldman says "I can see why he'd want to go to New York- a big market in his home area, a team he could take over. Even as Porzingis grows in stature, he's not a ball dominant player who'd step on Irving's toes." If Irving would like to be the focal point of a large market team, then New York fits the bill. However, whether or not Irving could lead the Knicks deep into the playoffs remains an open question.
It's very difficult for a team to obtain equal value for a top notch player in a trade. Irving, despite his poor defensive skills, is a top notch offensive player. If the Cavaliers trade him, they will have to get high draft picks or a few good players in return. It will be difficult for the Cavaliers to find an acceptable offer. Now that Irving's trade request is public, the Cavaliers have less leverage in trade talks.
The Cavaliers decided to sign Derek Rose to a one year deal for the veteran minimum contract. Maybe they want him to be the starting point guard if they trade Irving. If they keep Irving, maybe Rose will be the back up point guard. They also could consider moving Irving to the shooting guard position, which may be a better position for him anyway. If they cannot trade Irving, then Irving and James will have to coexist. If Irving is back next season, he will have to meet with James to resolve whatever differences they have.
While Irving made news with his trade request, James remains the centerpiece of the organization. It makes sense for the Cavaliers to make one more title run with James. A player of his caliber does not come around very often. James is, arguably, the best player in the NBA. He is the most versatile player in the game today. He can score, rebound, dribble the basketball, facilitate opportunities for teammates, drive into the lane, hit outside shots and play stellar defense. The Cavaliers could never replace James. If James leaves after next season, then the Cavaliers will probably have to rebuild completely. However, for at least one more season, they are the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. Boston, Washington and Toronto are almost as good as Cleveland, but all three teams remain a step behind the Cavaliers.
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