Why they should have:
The team has pretty much decided that in order to save face on what has so far been a disaster of a season, they decided to make some moves that could have helped the team. Plus making the playoffs could boost team morale although they are more likely to get crushed by Indiana/Miami since at best this is a fringe playoff team that could get the 8th seed, 7th at best, though then again they are pushing their luck. Plus you want to start creating a winning atmosphere and show you are making progress and maybe convince Kyrie to stay here since you pretty much control his rights and his camp knows that the new CBA makes it hard to leave unless you suck or if it reaches a breaking point where you don't report to training camp. And truth be told, it wouldn't be difficult to get into the playoffs since all you need is a little winning streak and you are in since it is the East after all though they have a difficult stretch for the rest of the month so this is probably make it or break it at this point against teams like Phoenix, LAC, GS, Phoenix, Houston and teams that are pushing for the playoffs. If they make it, maybe LeBron comes back here although he doesn't really have much incentive to leave right now at this point plus the Cavaliers are a mess.
Why they shouldn't have:
My choice leans more into this type of side since the Cavs should be looking somewhat towards next year and into the long run as to who fits here and who doesn't. The trade deadline I felt was really questionable. Personally they should not have traded for Hawes since even though they gave up really a couple of second rounders and expirings, Hawes most likely will go elsewhere unless his salary demands turn off most of the league or if he's willing to take less to play for a contender. They should have accepted the Jack for Terry deal since they'd easily be able to coerce Terry into a buyout and let him go elsewhere plus they'd cut their losses on Jack since he doesn't really fit this team and he's better off on a team in a better position like Brooklyn. They should have traded Deng and there were two suitors apparently for him: Memphis and Phoenix. I'd have taken the Phoenix deal where Okafor and a late first rounder came back. I'd probably ask for a second as well, but due to Deng's play in Cleveland, getting a late first was about as good as it would get. Plus he's pretty much stated that he's going to FA and will go elsewhere, so why not get another expiring and a pick back for this year's draft.
If they had done this, I would have paired Irving and Waiters back together to see whether or not the 2 could play together since hopefully the rift has healed. If it hasn't and these two can't play together, I'd consider looking to move Waiters at the draft in the right deal. I would have given Bennett more playing time since he's been so mismanaged from the get-go and really the whole team has been. I'd look into finding a solid deal for Andy where he could go to a contender and get back some pieces that could help for the future. Boy did Grant screw up badly in this.
Sorry if my post is too long, but personally had to get it out there. What do you guys think?
