Trade Ideas

[toooskies]

Pretty please?

You're better off trading him to a team with a win-now window who'd overpay for a year of LBJ.

Happens in 2023 offseason.
Garland, Okoro, LeBron, Mobley, Allen.

Cavs only need to trade Sexton+Lauri into capspace to bring in LeBron, Lakers could have the option of letting LeBron walk for nothing or doing an SnT to get Sexton+Lauri.

The value here feels pretty good, but some draft comp is probably due.

The closest comparison to a Lebron trade right now would be Kawhi going from the Spurs to the Raptors. I pick that one because it's basically a one-year superstar rental (with potential for more, but unlikely to actually occur). In that deal, the Spurs sent Kawhi (and Danny Green) to the Raptors for DeRozan, Poeltl, and a top 20 protected 1st.

The Cavs don't have a DeRozan (a player whose ceiling seemed to be clear and wasn't a #1 on a championship team-- let's ignore his leap this year for the purposes of this conversation), but you could see Sexton becoming that kind of player-- it would take growth, but then again Sexton compares favorably to DeRozan at the same point in their careers. Markkanen feels like he has a little more value than Poeltl did at the time. The Cavs might have to add a lightly protected or unprotected 1st and maybe another heavily protected 1st after that-- most said that San Antonio sold way below market value to punish Kawhi-- but if the Lakers see the writing on the wall and can't make a move towards a championship, maybe it's the right deal for them to get some decent young talent and still say they did right by their superstar.

[LivingLegend]

You're better off trading him to a team with a win-now window who'd overpay for a year of LBJ.

Happens in 2023 offseason.
Garland, Okoro, LeBron, Mobley, Allen.

Cavs only need to trade Sexton+Lauri into capspace to bring in LeBron, Lakers could have the option of letting LeBron walk for nothing or doing an SnT to get Sexton+Lauri.

The value here feels pretty good, but some draft comp is probably due.

The closest comparison to a Lebron trade right now would be Kawhi going from the Spurs to the Raptors. I pick that one because it's basically a one-year superstar rental (with potential for more, but unlikely to actually occur). In that deal, the Spurs sent Kawhi (and Danny Green) to the Raptors for DeRozan, Poeltl, and a top 20 protected 1st.

The Cavs don't have a DeRozan (a player whose ceiling seemed to be clear and wasn't a #1 on a championship team-- let's ignore his leap this year for the purposes of this conversation), but you could see Sexton becoming that kind of player-- it would take growth, but then again Sexton compares favorably to DeRozan at the same point in their careers. Markkanen feels like he has a little more value than Poeltl did at the time. The Cavs might have to add a lightly protected or unprotected 1st and maybe another heavily protected 1st after that-- most said that San Antonio sold way below market value to punish Kawhi-- but if the Lakers see the writing on the wall and can't make a move towards a championship, maybe it's the right deal for them to get some decent young talent and still say they did right by their superstar.

I have a hard time believing Altman is going to go out of his way to trade assets for 1 year of LeBron.

I also have a hard time believing Gilbert would welcome back LeBron for a 3rd time unless it was to play for the vet min in his final farewell tour year.

I have a even harder time believing the players would support this considering every one of them have gone out of their way to say how special this team is for being good without LeBrons involvement.

The only way I see this happening is if its for 1 year in his FA 2023/2024 season, the Cavs give up no assets and he basically plays for free.

[toooskies]

Happens in 2023 offseason.
Garland, Okoro, LeBron, Mobley, Allen.

Cavs only need to trade Sexton+Lauri into capspace to bring in LeBron, Lakers could have the option of letting LeBron walk for nothing or doing an SnT to get Sexton+Lauri.

The value here feels pretty good, but some draft comp is probably due.

The closest comparison to a Lebron trade right now would be Kawhi going from the Spurs to the Raptors. I pick that one because it's basically a one-year superstar rental (with potential for more, but unlikely to actually occur). In that deal, the Spurs sent Kawhi (and Danny Green) to the Raptors for DeRozan, Poeltl, and a top 20 protected 1st.

The Cavs don't have a DeRozan (a player whose ceiling seemed to be clear and wasn't a #1 on a championship team-- let's ignore his leap this year for the purposes of this conversation), but you could see Sexton becoming that kind of player-- it would take growth, but then again Sexton compares favorably to DeRozan at the same point in their careers. Markkanen feels like he has a little more value than Poeltl did at the time. The Cavs might have to add a lightly protected or unprotected 1st and maybe another heavily protected 1st after that-- most said that San Antonio sold way below market value to punish Kawhi-- but if the Lakers see the writing on the wall and can't make a move towards a championship, maybe it's the right deal for them to get some decent young talent and still say they did right by their superstar.

I have a hard time believing Altman is going to go out of his way to trade assets for 1 year of LeBron.

I also have a hard time believing Gilbert would welcome back LeBron for a 3rd time unless it was to play for the vet min in his final farewell tour year.

I have a even harder time believing the players would support this considering every one of them have gone out of their way to say how special this team is for being good without LeBrons involvement.

I definitely leave open the option that Cleveland would make a move to become a legitimate front-runner for the championship despite the above, although yes, any and all of those things are good reasons for it not to happen.

[zimpy27]

The value here feels pretty good, but some draft comp is probably due.

The closest comparison to a Lebron trade right now would be Kawhi going from the Spurs to the Raptors. I pick that one because it's basically a one-year superstar rental (with potential for more, but unlikely to actually occur). In that deal, the Spurs sent Kawhi (and Danny Green) to the Raptors for DeRozan, Poeltl, and a top 20 protected 1st.

The Cavs don't have a DeRozan (a player whose ceiling seemed to be clear and wasn't a #1 on a championship team-- let's ignore his leap this year for the purposes of this conversation), but you could see Sexton becoming that kind of player-- it would take growth, but then again Sexton compares favorably to DeRozan at the same point in their careers. Markkanen feels like he has a little more value than Poeltl did at the time. The Cavs might have to add a lightly protected or unprotected 1st and maybe another heavily protected 1st after that-- most said that San Antonio sold way below market value to punish Kawhi-- but if the Lakers see the writing on the wall and can't make a move towards a championship, maybe it's the right deal for them to get some decent young talent and still say they did right by their superstar.

I have a hard time believing Altman is going to go out of his way to trade assets for 1 year of LeBron.

I also have a hard time believing Gilbert would welcome back LeBron for a 3rd time unless it was to play for the vet min in his final farewell tour year.

I have a even harder time believing the players would support this considering every one of them have gone out of their way to say how special this team is for being good without LeBrons involvement.

I definitely leave open the option that Cleveland would make a move to become a legitimate front-runner for the championship despite the above, although yes, any and all of those things are good reasons for it not to happen.

Cavs don't need to move an FRP. They just need to move Lauri+Sexton in to capspace or Lakers take them for LeBron, hopefully Sexton gets a cheaper moveable deal since he's injured.

Garland, Okoro, LeBron, Mobley, Allen

That team is a championship threat in 2 seasons. If it's on the table then it happens. Hard to imagine Cavs deny a championship run

[toooskies]

I have a hard time believing Altman is going to go out of his way to trade assets for 1 year of LeBron.

I also have a hard time believing Gilbert would welcome back LeBron for a 3rd time unless it was to play for the vet min in his final farewell tour year.

I have a even harder time believing the players would support this considering every one of them have gone out of their way to say how special this team is for being good without LeBrons involvement.

I definitely leave open the option that Cleveland would make a move to become a legitimate front-runner for the championship despite the above, although yes, any and all of those things are good reasons for it not to happen.

Cavs don't need to move an FRP. They just need to move Lauri+Sexton in to capspace or Lakers take them for LeBron, hopefully Sexton gets a cheaper moveable deal since he's injured.

Garland, Okoro, LeBron, Mobley, Allen

That team is a championship threat in 2 seasons. If it's on the table then it happens. Hard to imagine Cavs deny a championship run

I think the Lakers definitely hold out a bit for more than just Sexton + Markkanen, whether that's throwing in Okoro or asking for picks. Depends on if they're still enjoying the THT experience over there.

[JonFromVA]

LeBron said he wants to play with his son, which presumes his son will need to be drafted by a team willing to play him and not just sit him on the bench while the team tries to win a championship.

[LivingLegend]

I definitely leave open the option that Cleveland would make a move to become a legitimate front-runner for the championship despite the above, although yes, any and all of those things are good reasons for it not to happen.

Cavs don't need to move an FRP. They just need to move Lauri+Sexton in to capspace or Lakers take them for LeBron, hopefully Sexton gets a cheaper moveable deal since he's injured.

Garland, Okoro, LeBron, Mobley, Allen

That team is a championship threat in 2 seasons. If it's on the table then it happens. Hard to imagine Cavs deny a championship run

I think the Lakers definitely hold out a bit for more than just Sexton + Markkanen, whether that's throwing in Okoro or asking for picks. Depends on if they're still enjoying the THT experience over there.

I think Sexton + Lauri + Okoro is way too much to pay for 2 years of 38-39 year old LeBron. You spent the last 4 years sucking to get these young guys to build a sustainable future. Trading 1/2 of them away for a mercenary rental for a old LeBron just to fall right back in that same rebuild pit in 2024 seems silly.

Even with LeBron, the Cavs chances of winning a ring are not great. They still have to go through the Bucks, Nets, 76ers ect in the East just to get to the Warriors/Suns in the West. Are you mortgaging the next 10 years of the team just to get 2 longshot dart tosses in the short term?

Nah. LeBron can sign here for whatever available cap space we have left after extending our own for 1 last tour in 2023/2024

[JonFromVA]

Cavs don't need to move an FRP. They just need to move Lauri+Sexton in to capspace or Lakers take them for LeBron, hopefully Sexton gets a cheaper moveable deal since he's injured.

Garland, Okoro, LeBron, Mobley, Allen

That team is a championship threat in 2 seasons. If it's on the table then it happens. Hard to imagine Cavs deny a championship run

I think the Lakers definitely hold out a bit for more than just Sexton + Markkanen, whether that's throwing in Okoro or asking for picks. Depends on if they're still enjoying the THT experience over there.

I think Sexton + Lauri + Okoro is way too much to pay for 2 years of 38-39 year old LeBron. You spent the last 4 years sucking to get these young guys to build a sustainable future. Trading 1/2 of them away for a mercenary rental for a old LeBron just to fall right back in that same rebuild pit in 2024 seems silly.

Even with LeBron, the Cavs chances of winning a ring are not great. They still have to go through the Bucks, Nets, 76ers ect in the East just to get to the Warriors/Suns in the West. Are you mortgaging the next 10 years of the team just to get 2 longshot dart tosses in the short term?

Nah. LeBron can sign here for whatever available cap space we have left after extending our own for 1 last tour in 2023/2024

Part of the problem is the uncertainty. I mean, what if LeBron decided to play more than just 2 more years? What if he was actually effective for another 5?

He may be worth it at the right cost, but the drama around him is exhausting.

He supposedly moved to LA for his family, but he still can't just let the Lakers run themselves ...

[toooskies]

Cavs don't need to move an FRP. They just need to move Lauri+Sexton in to capspace or Lakers take them for LeBron, hopefully Sexton gets a cheaper moveable deal since he's injured.

Garland, Okoro, LeBron, Mobley, Allen

That team is a championship threat in 2 seasons. If it's on the table then it happens. Hard to imagine Cavs deny a championship run

I think the Lakers definitely hold out a bit for more than just Sexton + Markkanen, whether that's throwing in Okoro or asking for picks. Depends on if they're still enjoying the THT experience over there.

I think Sexton + Lauri + Okoro is way too much to pay for 2 years of 38-39 year old LeBron. You spent the last 4 years sucking to get these young guys to build a sustainable future. Trading 1/2 of them away for a mercenary rental for a old LeBron just to fall right back in that same rebuild pit in 2024 seems silly.

You absolutely trade three fringe starters, even if they're young and have potential to be good starters in the future, for a few years of being a clear contending team with Lebron. Whether that's one, two, or more years.

Also, no guarantee that Lebron's last year in the league is Bronny's first year. Especially if Bronny is a fringe NBA talent-- is Lebron going to accompany his kid to the G-League games he might need for development?

As long as Lebron is playing at an all-star level, he's going to be chasing rings for his own legacy rather than taking a year to play proud NBA dad to Bronny. Not while he's behind MJ in titles, at least.

[LivingLegend]

I think the Lakers definitely hold out a bit for more than just Sexton + Markkanen, whether that's throwing in Okoro or asking for picks. Depends on if they're still enjoying the THT experience over there.

I think Sexton + Lauri + Okoro is way too much to pay for 2 years of 38-39 year old LeBron. You spent the last 4 years sucking to get these young guys to build a sustainable future. Trading 1/2 of them away for a mercenary rental for a old LeBron just to fall right back in that same rebuild pit in 2024 seems silly.

Even with LeBron, the Cavs chances of winning a ring are not great. They still have to go through the Bucks, Nets, 76ers ect in the East just to get to the Warriors/Suns in the West. Are you mortgaging the next 10 years of the team just to get 2 longshot dart tosses in the short term?

Nah. LeBron can sign here for whatever available cap space we have left after extending our own for 1 last tour in 2023/2024

Part of the problem is the uncertainty. I mean, what if LeBron decided to play more than just 2 more years? What if he was actually effective for another 5?

He may be worth it at the right cost, but the drama around him is exhausting.

He supposedly moved to LA for his family, but he still can't just let the Lakers run themselves ...

Bingo. Altman has mentioned 100x that he is focused on how to build a 'sustainable winner'. I dont think the Cavs have any interest in going ring chasing for 2 years at the cost at chopping 1/2 of their young core.

Not to mention....its exhausting. I truly believe the only way he joins this team is as a low cost FA. There is just nothing I have seen from Altman and Gilberts comments in the past that make me believe they would be interested in getting rid of a bunch of good young controllable talent to cater to LeBron for a 3rd time.

[toooskies]

I think Sexton + Lauri + Okoro is way too much to pay for 2 years of 38-39 year old LeBron. You spent the last 4 years sucking to get these young guys to build a sustainable future. Trading 1/2 of them away for a mercenary rental for a old LeBron just to fall right back in that same rebuild pit in 2024 seems silly.

Even with LeBron, the Cavs chances of winning a ring are not great. They still have to go through the Bucks, Nets, 76ers ect in the East just to get to the Warriors/Suns in the West. Are you mortgaging the next 10 years of the team just to get 2 longshot dart tosses in the short term?

Nah. LeBron can sign here for whatever available cap space we have left after extending our own for 1 last tour in 2023/2024

Part of the problem is the uncertainty. I mean, what if LeBron decided to play more than just 2 more years? What if he was actually effective for another 5?

He may be worth it at the right cost, but the drama around him is exhausting.

He supposedly moved to LA for his family, but he still can't just let the Lakers run themselves ...

Bingo. Altman has mentioned 100x that he is focused on how to build a 'sustainable winner'. I dont think the Cavs have any interest in going ring chasing for 2 years at the cost at chopping 1/2 of their young core.

Not to mention....its exhausting. I truly believe the only way he joins this team is as a low cost FA. There is just nothing I have seen from Altman and Gilberts comments in the past that make me believe they would be interested in getting rid of a bunch of good young controllable talent to cater to LeBron for a 3rd time.

Odds are certainly no worse than the first time Lebron came back. (And yes, that was a ridiculous longshot.)

[LivingLegend]

Part of the problem is the uncertainty. I mean, what if LeBron decided to play more than just 2 more years? What if he was actually effective for another 5?

He may be worth it at the right cost, but the drama around him is exhausting.

He supposedly moved to LA for his family, but he still can't just let the Lakers run themselves ...

Bingo. Altman has mentioned 100x that he is focused on how to build a 'sustainable winner'. I dont think the Cavs have any interest in going ring chasing for 2 years at the cost at chopping 1/2 of their young core.

Not to mention....its exhausting. I truly believe the only way he joins this team is as a low cost FA. There is just nothing I have seen from Altman and Gilberts comments in the past that make me believe they would be interested in getting rid of a bunch of good young controllable talent to cater to LeBron for a 3rd time.

Odds are certainly no worse than the first time Lebron came back. (And yes, that was a ridiculous longshot.)

But does anybody want him back...this is like the 20th quote from Cavs players that have talked about how important it is to succeed without him.

I, for one, value Darius Garland for the next 12+ years over LeBron for the next 2 and I feel like you run a Kyrie Irving flight risk with some of the young guys if you bring him back in for anything more than a farewell tour.

The Cavs are finally setup to be competitive for the next 10 years with a defined young core of All Stars. Dont **** it up by jamming LeBrons massive presence into the mix that is known for rocking the boat for a short term longshot.

Read on Twitter

[toooskies]

Bingo. Altman has mentioned 100x that he is focused on how to build a 'sustainable winner'. I dont think the Cavs have any interest in going ring chasing for 2 years at the cost at chopping 1/2 of their young core.

Not to mention....its exhausting. I truly believe the only way he joins this team is as a low cost FA. There is just nothing I have seen from Altman and Gilberts comments in the past that make me believe they would be interested in getting rid of a bunch of good young controllable talent to cater to LeBron for a 3rd time.

Odds are certainly no worse than the first time Lebron came back. (And yes, that was a ridiculous longshot.)

But does anybody want him back...this is like the 20th quote from Cavs players that have talked about how important it is to succeed without him.

I, for one, value Darius Garland for the next 12+ years over LeBron for the next 2 and I feel like you run a Kyrie Irving flight risk with some of the young guys if you bring him back in for anything more than a farewell tour.

Read on Twitter

Yes, being successful without Lebron is important. They have already achieved that. Their team will be better than Lebron's this year.

The question is whether you keep yourself from making an improvement just for that feeling.

Given Garland is a Klutch guy, I think he and Lebron would find a way to get along.

[LivingLegend]

Odds are certainly no worse than the first time Lebron came back. (And yes, that was a ridiculous longshot.)

But does anybody want him back...this is like the 20th quote from Cavs players that have talked about how important it is to succeed without him.

I, for one, value Darius Garland for the next 12+ years over LeBron for the next 2 and I feel like you run a Kyrie Irving flight risk with some of the young guys if you bring him back in for anything more than a farewell tour.

Read on Twitter

Yes, being successful without Lebron is important. They have already achieved that. Their team will be better than Lebron's this year.

The question is whether you keep yourself from making an improvement just for that feeling.

Given Garland is a Klutch guy, I think he and Lebron would find a way to get along.

You can still improve your roster and make trades without having to sell half your assets for LeBron. The league has proven if you build a winner and a great environment--free agents will come.

I want him back, I just want him back as a FA and not a trade piece.

[JonFromVA]

Odds are certainly no worse than the first time Lebron came back. (And yes, that was a ridiculous longshot.)

But does anybody want him back...this is like the 20th quote from Cavs players that have talked about how important it is to succeed without him.

I, for one, value Darius Garland for the next 12+ years over LeBron for the next 2 and I feel like you run a Kyrie Irving flight risk with some of the young guys if you bring him back in for anything more than a farewell tour.

Read on Twitter

Yes, being successful without Lebron is important. They have already achieved that. Their team will be better than Lebron's this year.

The question is whether you keep yourself from making an improvement just for that feeling.

Given Garland is a Klutch guy, I think he and Lebron would find a way to get along.

IMO, you're both making valid points and short of getting out a crystal ball, all Koby can do is consider the possibility if/when it arises, talk to the key players, and make his best guess whether the benefits outweigh the risks.

It's just kind of a shame this is wasting bandwidth, albeit I guess nothing is getting through the incessant Baker blather on local sports talk.

[KuruptedCav]

The fact that he’s still trying to actively influence roster decisions means I’d rather not go back down that route.

While Lebron is still a high level player, this team will rise when Evan Mobley is physically capable of lifting it. I don’t trust Lebron to transition like David Robinson did to Tim Duncan or how Tim Duncan did to Kawhi Leonard. I expect him to push the team to do everything in its power to win a ring, his way.

When you draw the line, it becomes a Mike Miller, #8 pick or LAL #27 pick problem and he scuttles. Do you say no when he orchestrates Garland for Lilliard? How about Mobley for KAT?

And that’s the problem.


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[JonFromVA]

The fact that he’s still trying to actively influence roster decisions means I’d rather not go back down that route.

While Lebron is still a high level player, this team will rise when Evan Mobley is physically capable of lifting it. I don’t trust Lebron to transition like David Robinson did to Tim Duncan or how Tim Duncan did to Kawhi Leonard. I expect him to push the team to do everything in its power to win a ring, his way.

When you draw the line, it becomes a Mike Miller, #8 pick or LAL #27 pick problem and he scuttles. Do you say no when he orchestrates Garland for Lilliard? How about Mobley for KAT?

And that’s the problem.

Yep, and if he comes back to Cleveland part of it is because he knows we have always given him everything he wants, only drawing a line when he was clearly on his way out the door.

otoh, while we have a collection of great guys, are we presuming too much that egos and personalities won't eventually become problematic? As I expressed before the trade deadline, I'm concerned with what Collin is signalling by hiring Klutch and what manipulations may occur as a result.

Maybe LeBron would whip them in to contender shape and keep them focused on the goal (of winning him more championships)?

It'll be a bit of relief when LeBron retires and the thoughts of what he may or may not do will no longer consume all the NBA oxygen.

[wco81]

Barring serious injury, LBJ should be able to average at least 24/7/7 for a few more years.

Will that be enough to lift the Cavs into the elite? Like someone mentioned, lot of other EC contenders to deal with.

Even if the Cavs sign him in the summer of 2023 without giving up assets, he's going to command a lot of usage, around 20 FGAs. He's also taking just under 8 3PAs this season, which is almost double his career average of 4.5.

So where do these extra FGAs come from? Won't matter if he can lead the Cavs to title contention but long-term, development of young Cavs players may be more important than an uncertain title run with a 38-year old player.

But there's little to lose if they can add him to the roster without giving up major assets. Some of the trade talk included K. Love. Next season, Love will be an expiring so Cavs may want to move him rather than someone like Allen.

[JonFromVA]

Barring serious injury, LBJ should be able to average at least 24/7/7 for a few more years.

Will that be enough to lift the Cavs into the elite? Like someone mentioned, lot of other EC contenders to deal with.

Even if the Cavs sign him in the summer of 2023 without giving up assets, he's going to command a lot of usage, around 20 FGAs. He's also taking just under 8 3PAs this season, which is almost double his career average of 4.5.

So where do these extra FGAs come from? Won't matter if he can lead the Cavs to title contention but long-term, development of young Cavs players may be more important than an uncertain title run with a 38-year old player.

But there's little to lose if they can add him to the roster without giving up major assets. Some of the trade talk included K. Love. Next season, Love will be an expiring so Cavs may want to move him rather than someone like Allen.

Strategically speaking, if there's a 3 year window to vaunt your team in to championship contention that doesn't strip mine the team of future assets, you go do it.

It's just so hard to project 3 years down the line. Take the Lakers for example ... just 2 players left from their bubble championship.

Emotionally speaking? A lot of us could do without another ride on the LeBron roller-coaster.

[toooskies]

Barring serious injury, LBJ should be able to average at least 24/7/7 for a few more years.

Will that be enough to lift the Cavs into the elite? Like someone mentioned, lot of other EC contenders to deal with.

Even if the Cavs sign him in the summer of 2023 without giving up assets, he's going to command a lot of usage, around 20 FGAs. He's also taking just under 8 3PAs this season, which is almost double his career average of 4.5.

So where do these extra FGAs come from? Won't matter if he can lead the Cavs to title contention but long-term, development of young Cavs players may be more important than an uncertain title run with a 38-year old player.

But there's little to lose if they can add him to the roster without giving up major assets. Some of the trade talk included K. Love. Next season, Love will be an expiring so Cavs may want to move him rather than someone like Allen.

Love + LeVert + draft assets for LeBron at next trade deadline if the Lakers are mediocre again next year? Lebron doesn't have any time to be LeGM and ruin things, no pressure to sign an immediate extension, we test out the fit to see if it'll work for a few years, if not we have a clean cap for the offseason. Makes sense if Love + LeVert aren't going to be re-signed. (Who knows at this point...)