RealGM

Suppose the Cavs don't make the mistake of trading Ron Harper to the Clippers and they keep their entire late '80s core into the '90s. Do they manage to win a ring, perhaps taking one from Chicago? Or would it have been more of the same?

If they hadn't given up so much in the KJ-Nance deal (Majerle, West, Corbin) - or hadn't done it (KJ Price isn't a perfect fit but neither is older Nance and Hot Rod). If they hadn't lost Dell Curry in expansion. If they hadn't traded Dudley for two seconds, Kerr for a second ...

Some reporting on him in LA is lower on his D and intangibles than later (though he was on the Clippers) and he does suffer injuries (though he was on the Clippers - a cheap taem) ... his game does have some warts, but having a much better player on the wing than some of the guys they were trotting out (I think Ehlo was okay) that could be a real upgrade. Depending somewhat on measure of choice he's a playoff riser if you think that sort of thing is more real, replicable than chance and that would help Cleveland. Another good player means they can probably play everyone a bit less in the RS, maybe they get less injuries? They maybe have better depth with the picks sent in the Harper trade (how Harper being there affects what those picks are can't be known).

We don't know how guys pan out in different scenarios, but as it was, healthy, the Cavs were pretty good so make a major upgrade at one position .. yeah, that could make a difference. Of course Chicago are still there and they're still really good.