OT: Cavs trade Irving to Celtics for Thomas, 1st round pick, and more
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:10 PM ^
I feel like Boston got the short-end of the stick with this one.
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:14 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:22 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:52 PM ^
This time next year Lebron will be a Laker.
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:02 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 10:25 PM ^
i mean, why the heck not?
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:18 PM ^
LeBron's free agency next year is a really interesting game-theory kind of thing. What do you offer a guy who probably will still be playing at an superstar level but has a ton of tread (15 years) on his tires?
I'd honestly think of shopping him now if I were Cleveland, even if the fans might flip out.
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:39 PM ^
is a good thing. He doesn't have 15 years of tread left.
August 23rd, 2017 at 12:33 AM ^
I approve of this pedantry.
August 23rd, 2017 at 8:57 AM ^
Is it pedantry to use words correctly?
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:42 PM ^
Lebron has a no trade clause in his contract and has told Cavs management he will not waive it under any circumstances.
August 23rd, 2017 at 4:39 AM ^
They really should and I bet they are thinking about it. Lebron did what he set out to do for Cleveland. He and his agent are contract frickin geniuses, they sign just long enough for a cap increase year where teams have more money. Lebron won't be one of those NBA stars gone broke stories, the guy is great with his money.
edit: Dang didn't see the no trade post
August 23rd, 2017 at 9:50 AM ^
LeBron either has to limit himself to teams that have the cap room for a max deal or take less to go where he wants.
For teams, if you have cap room you give him a max deal. Four years is the max length allowed, so that's a no-brainer. If they don't have room, then it depends on whether clearing space is feasible. The Lakers already gave away D'Angelo Russell to clear cap space for 2018.
August 23rd, 2017 at 10:59 AM ^
But he has a no-trade clause and would only accept a deal to the Warriors and maybe the Rockets, neither of which team has anything they would/could offer for a player like Lebron.
August 23rd, 2017 at 9:25 AM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:44 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 10:55 PM ^
It really broadens his worldview, hopefully making him a more well-rounded player in Boston. Hope he doesn't fall flat.
August 23rd, 2017 at 9:21 AM ^
I'm guessing the downvote really missed this joke. But I liked it. Take my +1.
August 24th, 2017 at 12:28 AM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:38 PM ^
OT season over yet?
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:14 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:18 PM ^
Honest question...why is he a punk ass? Because he left OKC and went to the Warriors?
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:26 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:39 PM ^
I'm not sure I get your comparison of Jordan to Durant - from a player standpoint or the support they had around them when Jordan won his 1st championship compared to the same point in Durant's career, but I know you weren't being serious.
But still why is he a "punk ass?"
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:34 PM ^
Yeah, he should've kept flailing in OKC with Westbrook just like Malone and Stockton. /s
I think he takes more heat for that decision than he should.
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:02 PM ^
I don't mind the heat...but calling him punk ass is uncalled for.
Especially since I've met and been around him on more than one occasion. He's a GREAT guy, does a TON for his community, he's never been about himself - extremely well-spoken, honest, and himself. He doesn't have the ego you'd expect from an NBA superstar. People forget part of his decision was just for him and where he wanted to live.
I work in college athletics, I LOVE the University of Michigan...but if you gave me my pick of schools to work at in the country...I'm going to UNC. I like the University, I like Chapel Hill, I like the location within NC, I like the fact that the climate has 4 seasons, I like that there's a pro team in Raleigh. Chapel Hill is just a place where I'd love to go. For Kevin, that place happens to be Cali - especially northern Cali (I couldn't see him in LA).
On the court, he can also BALL. He may not be the best player in the world, but IMO, he's the most talented. (I also happen to think behind LeBron he's the 2nd best player in the world).
But whatever, just my two pennies...just didn't understand why he was a "punk ass." The guy I've met was just a cool person to be around.
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:44 PM ^
In Chapel Hill and this place is nice but gimme Ann Arbor any day you traitor!
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:45 PM ^
Worked out a helluva deal for himself. He's one of the good guys, & anything but a "punk ass".
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:52 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 11:50 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:16 PM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 1:03 AM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 12:38 PM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 2:52 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 11:14 PM ^
Isaiah Thomas isn't that far off from Kyrie. They're the same type of player. The concern with Thomas was always his age and his next contract. They also got Jae Crowder who is a terrific role player, and is a big, physical, quick defender that can switch onto 3/4 positions. He gives the Cavs alot more versatility on defense next to Lebron, and Zizic is a tough player. Not sure what he brings to the table yet, but Boston people were very high on him. I still think that the Cavs may agree to deal the Nets pick for whatever star wants to be moved at the deadline if Lebron agrees to opt in for 2 more years.
It gives the Cavs more versatility and more options with the best player in the NBA.
August 23rd, 2017 at 12:05 AM ^
Oh a young guy wanted to go to a bigger city with more opportunity? Fuck him that never happens.
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:15 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:22 PM ^
IMO it's a 7 game series now...that #1 pick doesn't mean anything for this season. You put that kid on this Cavs team and I'd agree the Celtics wouldn't touch them.
I'll go Cavs in 7 if everyone is healthy.
Put even Michael Porter Jr. at this age and stage in his career on the Cavs today and they're skating through the East again. In fact, I see why they did it because he's the exact player the Cavs need with James.
Too bad it's probably going to be a #5 pick instead of #1.
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:13 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 10:57 PM ^
I think the Celtics gave up way too much, but the Wizards should not be smiling. The Celtics are a better team this year for the deal. Meanwhile, the Cavs come out of the Irving drama with at least as competitve team as they were with Irving, and the ability to trade that Brooklyn pick with some of their deadweight salary for someone else to make that team better now.
The Wizards are further behind the Celtics than they were when the day started, and any hope they had of the Cavs imploding is gone.
It might take awhile for the Celtics to get their groove (only four players returning of 15 is insane for a team that went to the conference finals and isn't tearing down their team), but Brad Stevens is one of the top 3-4 coaches in basketball. He'll have the kinks worked out well before the playoffs start.
August 22nd, 2017 at 11:15 PM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 11:13 AM ^
August 23rd, 2017 at 11:23 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 11:16 PM ^
are giving like 40% of their cap space to Ian Mahinmi and Otto Porter. They haven't done anything to make themselves better, and even if the Boston/Cavs trade is a wash, Boston still added a top 3 pick and Gordon Hayward.
August 23rd, 2017 at 12:54 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 11:11 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:19 PM ^
While Boston did get shafted on the "basketball talent" end of the deal, they did win in the "idiot that truly thinks the world is flat" category...
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:49 PM ^
August 22nd, 2017 at 11:17 PM ^