jbk1234 wrote:nzahir wrote:jbk1234 wrote:
People are presupposing a willingness on the part of the Cavs F.O. and ownership to gut their team in order to pay a 40-year old LBJ a bunch of money that I'm not at all sure exists.
He's still worth $20M+, but I'm skeptical there's much appetite for hourglass social media posts, or requests for coaching changes, or requests that good players be traded for guys he believes are a better fit, etc.
If LBJ comes back to Cleveland, it will likely be at the very end of his career where he's reconciled with being a passenger in the vehicle. I don't know that Lebron ever gets there, but he's given zero indication he's there now.
Fair point
Cle franchise did most things right from 2014-2015 on to 2016-2017. They got injrued at the worst time in 2015 and went to 6 games in the finals, they won in 2016, and they lost to the greatest team ever imo in 2017
Then the Pacers bailed on a 3 team deal with Denver to help us get PG and Kyrie walked and it was over. And they still went to the finals after that deadline shuffle
The cavs core is pretty young, they could compete post Lebron as well, but I think they would probably need Lebron to truly be a legit top end contender in the top tier/favorite
I think they should move Garland regardless of Lebron or not honestly btw. Probably wouldnt move Mobley yet, but I am not sure if he lives up to the hype and a bad fit next to Allen full time
Lebron will never really be a passenger. He is 39 years old and a top 10 player imo. Now imagine if he was on a loaded team with more spacing and athletic guards? He will always be an all star level guy, even if he plays another 2-3 years.
Lebron has already taken a smaller role in terms of ball handling and that is with Reaves and Dlo being in charge. What if he had a guy like Mitchell?
That's actually not why the PG trade fell apart. Gilbert wanted a commitment from PG that he'd extend, PG would only give it if LBJ would, LBJ declined, and the window closed. The Cavs were also talking to the Rockets, who wanted a Mulligan on CP3's contract, about swapping him for Love.
Now, LBJ had every right to play out his contract and leave, but it's not lost on the organization that if LBJ wanted to contend for another 3-4 years in Cleveland, he could've.
Moreover, LBJ would want the roster, and offense, built around him, and I think you have to be very clear eyed as far as whether, at 40-years of age, that's going to be better than what you have now.
Is that true?
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2723275-report-pacers-gm-backed-out-of-paul-george-to-cavs-kevin-love-to-nuggets-trade#:~:text=Indiana%20Pacers%20general%20manager%20Kevin,and%20Brian%20Windhorst%20of%20ESPN.
PG himself said Indi didnt want to send himself to the cavs
https://clutchpoints.com/cavs-news-cleveland-almost-landed-paul-george-trade-pacers-lebron-jamesCavs just got unlucky honestly when it came to injuries and GS being a thing or they are winning 2015, 2016, and possibly in 2017. Unsure how things unfold later, I doubt Kyrie wants out if they just 3 peated or won 2 of 3
I also dont think Lebron wants the offense built specifically around him at this point
If you watch the Lakers, he lets Reaves and Dlo do a lot of the ball handling
He is a great off the ball scorer and would even thrive in a smaller role
Having a pick and roll with someone like Mitchell, Brunson, Luka or Kyrie, SGA, or even Fox would be a lot more scary than Dlo or Reaves
