If they have to trade Kyrie are the Cavs screwed?

[mikejames23]

This is totally unexpected.

I would play it smart and try to rip off someone who thinks Kyrie is worth an up and coming star. Porzingis or something of that sort. I think it can be done - someone's gotta overpay, right?

[Dupp]

I actually think Kyrie is a great "fit" with Lebron. Like really great.


But he also kind of sucks and is very one dimensional. Id love to trade him honestly but worries about what's left on the market...


Butler and bron or pg and bron? Man that defense...

So now that Kyrie wants out he sucks? lol.

I've never enjoyed Kyrie and talked about trading him forever.

And he does suck at a lot of things. Defense/ court vision/ basketball iq. All bottom end in the NBA.

[Dr Positivity]

If they got a PG like Bledsoe or Kemba the Cavs are still fine in terms of being beast of the East. Screwed when it comes to beating healthy GSW, yes, but they were before

[Doctor MJ]

Where do they go?

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We'll see what happens.

The good new? Kyrie was never a good fit. LeBron would be much better with some offball 3 & D guys, and in a vacuum, trading Kyrie for guys like that is totally doable. I'm just not sure what team is really in a position to make that deal though.

Bad news is obvious, but just a couple thoughts:

Before Kyrie's news, I thought LeBron would probably leave Cleveland after this upcoming season. I felt like management needed to impress LeBron to get him to stay, and ownership responded by letting their GM go and then paddling in circles. Had the Cavs not won the title LeBron might have felt compelled to stay, but I actually think he'd really enjoy leaving Gilbert to suffer again, and I can't help but agree Mr. Clown Sans deserves it.

I really think Kyrie may just be an idiot, and I think he might have just lost his ticket to the Hall. If the Cavs can find the right trading partner, Cleveland is going to have a better regular season than last year and Kyrie's going to be back in the lottery. If that happens, he'll be a joke.

In a vacuum I respect someone who wants to play the game his way, but Kyrie wanted out of Cleveland before LeBron came. All of this makes me think he's not nearly as good as he thinks he is, and he's about to get a wake up call.

Kyrie will be in HOF. He was the 2nd best player on a title team, and hit the shot that won it following a stretch of incredible performances. Has a lot of memorable performances in the Finals. He'll also be a perennial 25ppg+ guy and can even win a scoring title somewhere... he'll be in.

Kyrie's in the situation a lot of guys get in where he's on pace to make the Hall but not a lock. To be a lock, your narrative needs to be set, and Kyrie's isn't.

As I've said, if the Cavs look better in the regular season next year and Kyrie ends up volume scoring on a lottery team through his prime, he could well end up being someone future fans laugh at.

Re: 2nd best player on a title team. That's not typically the "rule". 2nd best player on multiple title teams has historically been a lock, but just one title? No lock. You're absolutely right that his performance in the last two finals seemed to make him historically notable, but I'd say that's up in the air now. People will not be talking about Kyrie the same way if the Cavs end up as good without him, and depending on who's available, I think that's quite possible.

[Doctor MJ]

We'll see what happens.

The good new? Kyrie was never a good fit. LeBron would be much better with some offball 3 & D guys, and in a vacuum, trading Kyrie for guys like that is totally doable. I'm just not sure what team is really in a position to make that deal though.

Bad news is obvious, but just a couple thoughts:

Before Kyrie's news, I thought LeBron would probably leave Cleveland after this upcoming season. I felt like management needed to impress LeBron to get him to stay, and ownership responded by letting their GM go and then paddling in circles. Had the Cavs not won the title LeBron might have felt compelled to stay, but I actually think he'd really enjoy leaving Gilbert to suffer again, and I can't help but agree Mr. Clown Sans deserves it.

I really think Kyrie may just be an idiot, and I think he might have just lost his ticket to the Hall. If the Cavs can find the right trading partner, Cleveland is going to have a better regular season than last year and Kyrie's going to be back in the lottery. If that happens, he'll be a joke.

In a vacuum I respect someone who wants to play the game his way, but Kyrie wanted out of Cleveland before LeBron came. All of this makes me think he's not nearly as good as he thinks he is, and he's about to get a wake up call.

Kyrie will be in HOF. He was the 2nd best player on a title team, and hit the shot that won it following a stretch of incredible performances. Has a lot of memorable performances in the Finals. He'll also be a perennial 25ppg+ guy and can even win a scoring title somewhere... he'll be in.

Indeed he'll probably make it. HoF has very low standards

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Oh I still think he probably makes it to be honest, but he was a lock as long as people remembered LeBron's 2nd stint with the Cavs primarily as "oh that's when he got Kyrie as his right hand man, they won a title, and would have won more if not for the Warriors". Now there's a possibility that folks will see the 2nd stint as just more of LeBron's 8 year cycle getting to the finals with whoever is on his team.

[Bruh Man]

I actually think Kyrie is a great "fit" with Lebron. Like really great.


But he also kind of sucks and is very one dimensional. Id love to trade him honestly but worries about what's left on the market...


Butler and bron or pg and bron? Man that defense...

So now that Kyrie wants out he sucks? lol.

I've never enjoyed Kyrie and talked about trading him forever.

And he does suck at a lot of things. Defense/ court vision/ basketball iq. All bottom end in the NBA.

Well it looks like you will get what you wanted, for all his flaws he's still a 25/6/3 player with good efficiency and probably still hasn't reached his peak.

[RCM88x]

Kyrie will be in HOF. He was the 2nd best player on a title team, and hit the shot that won it following a stretch of incredible performances. Has a lot of memorable performances in the Finals. He'll also be a perennial 25ppg+ guy and can even win a scoring title somewhere... he'll be in.

Indeed he'll probably make it. HoF has very low standards

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I think it's guaranteed. No matter what you think about Kyrie, the guy is a big time scorer. Has anyone with his scoring production ever not made HOF? As the #1 option on a team, he'll be a perennial contender for the scoring title.

His career PPG average is 21.6, I think there are probably a number of guys who haven't.

[Bruh Man]

Indeed he'll probably make it. HoF has very low standards

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I think it's guaranteed. No matter what you think about Kyrie, the guy is a big time scorer. Has anyone with his scoring production ever not made HOF? As the #1 option on a team, he'll be a perennial contender for the scoring title.

His career PPG average is 21.6, I think there are probably a number of guys who haven't.

Any that were a major contributor to a championship squad who also made the finals 3 times?

[RCM88x]

I think it's guaranteed. No matter what you think about Kyrie, the guy is a big time scorer. Has anyone with his scoring production ever not made HOF? As the #1 option on a team, he'll be a perennial contender for the scoring title.

His career PPG average is 21.6, I think there are probably a number of guys who haven't.

Any that were a major contributor to a championship squad who also made the finals 3 times?

I mean if he goes to some random team and doesn't make the playoffs for the rest of his career that probably won't have the same value to people.

[Bruh Man]

His career PPG average is 21.6, I think there are probably a number of guys who haven't.

Any that were a major contributor to a championship squad who also made the finals 3 times?

I mean if he goes to some random team and doesn't make the playoffs for the rest of his career that probably won't have the same value to people.

Maybe, but I think all the teams mentioned in the trade talks are playoff bound. If he goes to a crappy team he can bolt once his contract is up.

[THKNKG]

I wonder if the Knicks would consider something like a Kyrie + (one of TT/Shump/JR) for Melo + Porzingis

[Joey Wheeler]

Indeed he'll probably make it. HoF has very low standards

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I think it's guaranteed. No matter what you think about Kyrie, the guy is a big time scorer. Has anyone with his scoring production ever not made HOF? As the #1 option on a team, he'll be a perennial contender for the scoring title.

His career PPG average is 21.6, I think there are probably a number of guys who haven't.

That number is sure to go up though. He averaged 25 last year and can average even more as the #1 guy on a team, can win a scoring title.

He also averages 23.9 in the playoffs. I think he can end up with 24ppg on both RS and playoffs, tough to keep a guy like that out of the HOF. That's basically Melo's career, without the '2nd banana on championship team' caveat.

[RCM88x]

Any that were a major contributor to a championship squad who also made the finals 3 times?

I mean if he goes to some random team and doesn't make the playoffs for the rest of his career that probably won't have the same value to people.

Maybe, but I think all the teams mentioned in the trade talks are playoff bound. If he goes to a crappy team he can bolt once his contract is up.

Knicks certainly aren't. Heat might not be either.

Minnesota is right on the edge if they make a trade for Kyrie. SAS is but I have no idea what they would offer.

[RCM88x]

I think it's guaranteed. No matter what you think about Kyrie, the guy is a big time scorer. Has anyone with his scoring production ever not made HOF? As the #1 option on a team, he'll be a perennial contender for the scoring title.

His career PPG average is 21.6, I think there are probably a number of guys who haven't.

That number is sure to go up though. He averaged 25 last year and can average even more as the #1 guy on a team, can win a scoring title.

He also averages 23.9 in the playoffs. I think he can end up with 24ppg on both RS and playoffs, tough to keep a guy like that out of the HOF. That's basically Melo's career, without the '2nd banana on championship team' caveat.

Kyrie is not winning a scoring title as the #1 option on a team, unless he takes 30 shots a game and his team puts no value on winning.

Even so I don't think his body can handle being the first option for a full season. He can barely handle it as the 2nd opinion next to LeBron.

[Joey Wheeler]

His career PPG average is 21.6, I think there are probably a number of guys who haven't.

That number is sure to go up though. He averaged 25 last year and can average even more as the #1 guy on a team, can win a scoring title.

He also averages 23.9 in the playoffs. I think he can end up with 24ppg on both RS and playoffs, tough to keep a guy like that out of the HOF. That's basically Melo's career, without the '2nd banana on championship team' caveat.

Kyrie is not winning a scoring title as the #1 option on a team, unless he takes 30 shots a game and his team puts no value on winning.

Even so I don't think his body can handle being the first option for a full season. He can barely handle it as the 2nd opinion next to LeBron.

You need to keep in mind Kyrie is 24, no reason to believe he has peaked already. Looking at current elite point guards, Curry was irrelevant at 24 and had serious questions about his durability as well; Westbrook was a star, but he wasn't quite GOATbrook yet. Wall also took a major leap since, etc...

24 is pretty young in the NBA, Kyrie still has upside. I'm not saying he'll be as good as Westbrook or even Curry, I'd be surprised if that was the case, but I see no reason why he can't be a perennial 25ppg+ scorer contending for scoring titles if he's the 1st option on a team.

[Euroballer]

Kyrie is going to gun for scoring title and might get it with OKC and HOU getting more pieces. That is going to have an impact of Lebron's legacy, particulary if Bron does not make more finals.

I don't see why Kyrie wants to go to Spurs though, that is and will continue to be, Kawhi's team.

His best bet is the Knicks in a perfect situation with another exicting young player in Porzingis, just ripe for the kind of aesthetic game those two can deliver. It would also allow him to knock out Lebron if Lebron stays in the East (which he likely won't).

All in all, this is a "bad guy" move by Kyrie. Lebron gets put on the spot here. I don't think Lebron has the talent and durability anymore to lead a middling team deep in the playoffs. This might be it for Lebron. Career practically done.

[Colbinii]

Kyrie is going to gun for scoring title and might get it with OKC and HOU getting more pieces. That is going to have an impact of Lebron's legacy, particulary if Bron does not make more finals.

I don't see why Kyrie wants to go to Spurs though, that is and will continue to be, Kawhi's team.

His best bet is the Knicks in a perfect situation with another exicting young player in Porzingis, just ripe for the kind of aesthetic game those two can deliver. It would also allow him to knock out Lebron if Lebron stays in the East (which he likely won't).

All in all, this is a "bad guy" move by Kyrie. Lebron gets put on the spot here. I don't think Lebron has the talent and durability anymore to lead a middling team deep in the playoffs. This might be it for Lebron. Career practically done.

This has no impact on LeBron's legacy. How does it?



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[Euroballer]

Kyrie is going to gun for scoring title and might get it with OKC and HOU getting more pieces. That is going to have an impact of Lebron's legacy, particulary if Bron does not make more finals.

I don't see why Kyrie wants to go to Spurs though, that is and will continue to be, Kawhi's team.

His best bet is the Knicks in a perfect situation with another exicting young player in Porzingis, just ripe for the kind of aesthetic game those two can deliver. It would also allow him to knock out Lebron if Lebron stays in the East (which he likely won't).

All in all, this is a "bad guy" move by Kyrie. Lebron gets put on the spot here. I don't think Lebron has the talent and durability anymore to lead a middling team deep in the playoffs. This might be it for Lebron. Career practically done.

This has no impact on LeBron's legacy. How does it?



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In the same way that Shaq/Kobe parting ways. People are going to be comparing who does what. It's essentially the same situation.

[Colbinii]

Kyrie is going to gun for scoring title and might get it with OKC and HOU getting more pieces. That is going to have an impact of Lebron's legacy, particulary if Bron does not make more finals.

I don't see why Kyrie wants to go to Spurs though, that is and will continue to be, Kawhi's team.

His best bet is the Knicks in a perfect situation with another exicting young player in Porzingis, just ripe for the kind of aesthetic game those two can deliver. It would also allow him to knock out Lebron if Lebron stays in the East (which he likely won't).

All in all, this is a "bad guy" move by Kyrie. Lebron gets put on the spot here. I don't think Lebron has the talent and durability anymore to lead a middling team deep in the playoffs. This might be it for Lebron. Career practically done.

This has no impact on LeBron's legacy. How does it?



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In the same way that Shaq/Kobe parting ways. People are going to be comparing who does what. It's essentially the same situation.

But we already saw LeBron dominate and be the best basketball player in the world for nearly a decade.

Kyrie Irving has over a 30% usage, shoots 20 times per game, and he wants more?

That's extremely egotistical and a far cry from the Kobe/Shaq situation for a multitude of reasons.

Here are a few reasons this is different:

1) LeBron is a clearly better player. Irving is not a top 10, 15, maybe not even top 20 in the NBA. LeBron is still a top 5 player (Most still think he is the best) in the NBA.

2) LeBron won 2 championships without Irving and went to 5 finals without Irving. Shaq was 0-1 in finals without Kobe.

If you think this situation is remotely similar I highly recommend reading up on the Shaq/Kobe situation.

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[bondom34]

I think if they got a guy like Bledsoe plus other assets it would be both fair value and make them better set up to succeed. So not at all.