Post Mortem #23 - Cleveland Cavaliers

[JujitsuFlip]

What I’m saying here is just because guys have a promising future and they’re on rookie contracts doesn’t make them untouchable when you’re talking about players who are already the best in the league. Fans tend to overrate “what could be” for what already is.

Looking at what Rudy Gobert, Mikal Bridges, and Paul George got back in a trade… you’re delusional to think Giannis isn’t bringing back premium assets such as a young blue chip prospect such as Amen, Chet, Mobley, Wemby, or Luka.

According to reports Luka for Giannis was already declined from the Bucks end.

Eh, using your examples, you're reaching.

Walker Kessler had played zero NBA games in the NBA and thus far has accomplished nothing.

SGA was fresh off his rookie year and a 1st round exit. No where near the MVP he is today.

No player worth mentioning in the Nets trade.

I'm not sure how you think soon to be 31 year old Giannis deserves to bring back the 23 year old DPOY who is locked up until 2030.

Giannis will return a good package but a lot of the guys you're mentioning would be better to pair with him than be traded for him.

The idea that OKC can just keep all their best assets and get a player that gives them dynasty potential is ridiculous. I think you’ve allowed yourself to be warped by small market bias.

It’s equally ridiculous to say Mobley is off the table for someone like Giannis. Giannis instantly becomes the best player on the Cavs for at least a 3 year run. Championships are extremely hard to get. You almost exclusively win a title by having a top 3 player in the league.

The Cavs can't even trade for Giannis without first salary dumping one of Garland, Mitchell, or Hunter to get out of the 2nd apron.

Then that also means Jerome and Merrill probably can't be re-signed.

Soooo

I am not sure a team of the below is better than their current setup. Given injuries have been the Cavs main road block for 4 consecutive post seasons.

Mitchell/Craig Porter Jr/pick #58
Strus/Okoro
Hunter/Tyson
Giannis/Wade/Okeke
Allen/pick #49/Diop?

Not to mention the Cavs owe their next 5 first rounders to the Jazz, so could only add their first in 2031 to Mobley.

[GiannisAnte34]

Eh, using your examples, you're reaching.

Walker Kessler had played zero NBA games in the NBA and thus far has accomplished nothing.

SGA was fresh off his rookie year and a 1st round exit. No where near the MVP he is today.

No player worth mentioning in the Nets trade.

I'm not sure how you think soon to be 31 year old Giannis deserves to bring back the 23 year old DPOY who is locked up until 2030.

Giannis will return a good package but a lot of the guys you're mentioning would be better to pair with him than be traded for him.

The idea that OKC can just keep all their best assets and get a player that gives them dynasty potential is ridiculous. I think you’ve allowed yourself to be warped by small market bias.

It’s equally ridiculous to say Mobley is off the table for someone like Giannis. Giannis instantly becomes the best player on the Cavs for at least a 3 year run. Championships are extremely hard to get. You almost exclusively win a title by having a top 3 player in the league.

The Cavs can't even trade for Giannis without first salary dumping one of Garland, Mitchell, or Hunter to get out of the 2nd apron.

Then that also means Jerome and Merrill probably can't be re-signed.

Soooo

I am not sure a team of the below is better than their current setup. Given injuries have been the Cavs main road block for 4 consecutive post seasons.

Mitchell/Craig Porter Jr/pick #58
Strus/Okoro
Hunter/Tyson
Giannis/Wade/Okeke
Allen/pick #49/Diop?

Not to mention the Cavs owe their next 5 first rounders to the Jazz, so could only add their first in 2031 to Mobley.

The Cavs main issue is Mitchell would be far more deadly in a Jamal Murray role. Mobley is never going to be that guy to relieve Mitchell from #1 option duties.

[JujitsuFlip]

The idea that OKC can just keep all their best assets and get a player that gives them dynasty potential is ridiculous. I think you’ve allowed yourself to be warped by small market bias.

It’s equally ridiculous to say Mobley is off the table for someone like Giannis. Giannis instantly becomes the best player on the Cavs for at least a 3 year run. Championships are extremely hard to get. You almost exclusively win a title by having a top 3 player in the league.

The Cavs can't even trade for Giannis without first salary dumping one of Garland, Mitchell, or Hunter to get out of the 2nd apron.

Then that also means Jerome and Merrill probably can't be re-signed.

Soooo

I am not sure a team of the below is better than their current setup. Given injuries have been the Cavs main road block for 4 consecutive post seasons.

Mitchell/Craig Porter Jr/pick #58
Strus/Okoro
Hunter/Tyson
Giannis/Wade/Okeke
Allen/pick #49/Diop?

Not to mention the Cavs owe their next 5 first rounders to the Jazz, so could only add their first in 2031 to Mobley.

The Cavs main issue is Mitchell would be far more deadly in a Jamal Murray role. Mobley is never going to be that guy to relieve Mitchell from #1 option duties.

Yeah, probably not but the cool thing is they're young enough and have time to figure it out. It only takes 1 healthy playoff run, as we see time and time again.

Mobley - 23 - locked until 2030
Garland - 25 - locked until 2028
Allen - 27 - locked until 2029
Hunter - 27- locked until 2027
Mitchell - 28 - locked until 2027 (PO in '28)
Strus - 29 - locked until 2027

[GiannisAnte34]

The Cavs can't even trade for Giannis without first salary dumping one of Garland, Mitchell, or Hunter to get out of the 2nd apron.

Then that also means Jerome and Merrill probably can't be re-signed.

Soooo

I am not sure a team of the below is better than their current setup. Given injuries have been the Cavs main road block for 4 consecutive post seasons.

Mitchell/Craig Porter Jr/pick #58
Strus/Okoro
Hunter/Tyson
Giannis/Wade/Okeke
Allen/pick #49/Diop?

Not to mention the Cavs owe their next 5 first rounders to the Jazz, so could only add their first in 2031 to Mobley.

The Cavs main issue is Mitchell would be far more deadly in a Jamal Murray role. Mobley is never going to be that guy to relieve Mitchell from #1 option duties.

Yeah, probably not but the cool thing is they're young enough and have time to figure it out. It only takes 1 healthy playoff run, as we see time and time again.

Mobley - 23 - locked until 2030
Garland - 25 - locked until 2028
Allen - 27 - locked until 2029
Hunter - 27- locked until 2027
Mitchell - 28 - locked until 2027 (PO in '28)
Strus - 29 - locked until 2027

That’s probably fine to keep pushing for ECF but I doubt it is enough to win a title without significant injury luck since that team lacks a top 5 player

Some team might push their chips in on Giannis. Says it’s OKC with a Chet + picks package

Are the Cavs really competing with SGA + Giannis and equally good depth?

The best they’re doing in that scenario is praying the Thunder are injured

It all depends on if the Cavs just want to sustain moderate playoff runs for a long time or if they want to push their chips in to go for another title. You can’t have it both ways

[cupcakesnake]

This board says everyone is untouchable. There can only be a few MVP tier players in the league. There’s a big cost to acquiring such a player

Giannis is better than Mobley but for how many more years? 7 year age difference. We have no idea when Giannis' prime will end (he could have another 4 prime years, or we could start seeing his athleticism fade as soon as the season after next.) Mobley is 23, had 2-3 more seasons before his prime even starts, and just busted out as an all-NBA level player.

Trades ideas like this remind me of Kawhi wanting to play with Paul George instead of Pascal Siakam or Shai Gilegous-Alexander, and the Clippers making it so. At the time, Paul George had just come 3rd in MVP and DPOY voting. He was way better than Siakam or Shai. Even back then though, I remember thinking: for how long? It ended up being... arguably zero time. Siakam outplayed him the very next season, and the season after that, Shai started flashing his future MVP potential.

Giannis will always be better than Mobley, Mobley is just a defensive big. Nice piece but not the cornerstone. I don’t want the guy anyways, it’s kinda laughable you have a guy in the Bam tier being called untouchable for a top 15 all time in his prime perennial MVP but rgm has some nuts homers who really over value their players and anybody deemed “young”

Bucks aren’t trading Giannis

At the very least, someday Giannis will be retired while Mobley will still be in the NBA.
I don't think you know Mobley's game or potential very well based on how you're describing it.

[oikosnomos]

Cavs will be in the playoffs ever year for the next 2-3 years. Just roll with that. Anything can happen once you make the playoffs. Mobley and Garland can get better. That alone is worth running it back.

[cupcakesnake]

This board says everyone is untouchable. There can only be a few MVP tier players in the league. There’s a big cost to acquiring such a player

Giannis is better than Mobley but for how many more years? 7 year age difference. We have no idea when Giannis' prime will end (he could have another 4 prime years, or we could start seeing his athleticism fade as soon as the season after next.) Mobley is 23, had 2-3 more seasons before his prime even starts, and just busted out as an all-NBA level player.

Trades ideas like this remind me of Kawhi wanting to play with Paul George instead of Pascal Siakam or Shai Gilegous-Alexander, and the Clippers making it so. At the time, Paul George had just come 3rd in MVP and DPOY voting. He was way better than Siakam or Shai. Even back then though, I remember thinking: for how long? It ended up being... arguably zero time. Siakam outplayed him the very next season, and the season after that, Shai started flashing his future MVP potential.

Name some players who started to quickly decline at 32 and exclude major injuries

You’re comparing PG13 with 0 MVPs, 0 DPOY, 0 FMVP, and 1 1st team All-NBA to Giannis with 2 MVPs, 1 DPOY, 1 FMVP, and 6 1st team All-NBA

Seems like your bias towards Milwaukee is creeping in again. I’ve noticed this with you as a history before

You're taking my comparison way too literally. I never said Giannis=Paul George. I'm talking about trading 23-year-olds for 30-year-olds.

I'm not even saying Giannis will quickly decline. I'm saying he'll exit his prime. Think of the pure giant athlete superstars. Shaq started his decline at age 31. Same as David Robinson and KG. Barkley at 32. Blake and Amar'e at 29. Giannis could maybe outlast all of them, but the athletic advantages will start to fade at some point. Keep in my mind, I'm not saying Giannis will have a short prime. I'm saying, he's the type of player who COULD have a shorter prime.

I don't have a bias against Milwaukee. You just say that whenever you don't like my opinion about Milwaukee. I rooted for a bit over the years. Loved the Giannis/Khriddlton/Jrue trio. I really liked pre-injury Andrew Bogut. Historically I'm obsessed with the 80s Bucks (Marques Johnson and Sidney Moncrief). I like their jerseys/colors over the years, and like the city of Milwaukee (only visited it once, but I like the vibe). I have a Milwaukee Bucks housecoat I wear in the winter!

[cupcakesnake]

This board says everyone is untouchable. There can only be a few MVP tier players in the league. There’s a big cost to acquiring such a player

Giannis is better than Mobley but for how many more years? 7 year age difference. We have no idea when Giannis' prime will end (he could have another 4 prime years, or we could start seeing his athleticism fade as soon as the season after next.) Mobley is 23, had 2-3 more seasons before his prime even starts, and just busted out as an all-NBA level player.

Trades ideas like this remind me of Kawhi wanting to play with Paul George instead of Pascal Siakam or Shai Gilegous-Alexander, and the Clippers making it so. At the time, Paul George had just come 3rd in MVP and DPOY voting. He was way better than Siakam or Shai. Even back then though, I remember thinking: for how long? It ended up being... arguably zero time. Siakam outplayed him the very next season, and the season after that, Shai started flashing his future MVP potential.

Name some players who started to quickly decline at 32 and exclude major injuries

You’re comparing PG13 with 0 MVPs, 0 DPOY, 0 FMVP, and 1 1st team All-NBA to Giannis with 2 MVPs, 1 DPOY, 1 FMVP, and 6 1st team All-NBA

Seems like your bias towards Milwaukee is creeping in again. I’ve noticed this with you as a history before

You're taking my comparison way too literally. I never said Giannis=Paul George. I'm talking about trading 23-year-olds for 30-year-olds.

I'm not even saying Giannis will quickly decline. I'm saying he'll exit his prime. Think of the pure giant athlete superstars. Shaq started his decline at age 31. Same as David Robinson and KG. Barkley at 32. Blake and Amar'e at 29. Giannis could maybe outlast all of them, but the athletic advantages will start to fade at some point. Keep in my mind, I'm not saying Giannis will have a short prime. I'm saying, he's the type of player who COULD have a shorter prime.

I don't have a bias against Milwaukee. You just say that whenever you don't like my opinion about Milwaukee. I rooted for a bit over the years. Loved the Giannis/Khriddlton/Jrue trio. I really liked pre-injury Andrew Bogut. Historically I'm obsessed with the 80s Bucks (Marques Johnson and Sidney Moncrief). I like their jerseys/colors over the years, and like the city of Milwaukee (only visited it once, but I like the vibe). I have a Milwaukee Bucks housecoat I wear in the winter!

[JujitsuFlip]

The Cavs main issue is Mitchell would be far more deadly in a Jamal Murray role. Mobley is never going to be that guy to relieve Mitchell from #1 option duties.

Yeah, probably not but the cool thing is they're young enough and have time to figure it out. It only takes 1 healthy playoff run, as we see time and time again.

Mobley - 23 - locked until 2030
Garland - 25 - locked until 2028
Allen - 27 - locked until 2029
Hunter - 27- locked until 2027
Mitchell - 28 - locked until 2027 (PO in '28)
Strus - 29 - locked until 2027

That’s probably fine to keep pushing for ECF but I doubt it is enough to win a title without significant injury luck since that team lacks a top 5 player

Some team might push their chips in on Giannis. Says it’s OKC with a Chet + picks package

Are the Cavs really competing with SGA + Giannis and equally good depth?

The best they’re doing in that scenario is praying the Thunder are injured

It all depends on if the Cavs just want to sustain moderate playoff runs for a long time or if they want to push their chips in to go for another title. You can’t have it both ways

Giannis doesn't = title though.

Giannis has been in the NBA for 12 years and made the Finals once, winning the title that season.

If we look more recent, Giannis needs the Cavs, more than Cavs need him... 2025 Bucks gentleman swept in the 1st round, 2024 calf injury misses the playoffs & Bucks lose in the 1st round, 2023 back injury misses half the series and Bucks gentleman swept in the 1st round.

[GiannisAnte34]

Yeah, probably not but the cool thing is they're young enough and have time to figure it out. It only takes 1 healthy playoff run, as we see time and time again.

Mobley - 23 - locked until 2030
Garland - 25 - locked until 2028
Allen - 27 - locked until 2029
Hunter - 27- locked until 2027
Mitchell - 28 - locked until 2027 (PO in '28)
Strus - 29 - locked until 2027

That’s probably fine to keep pushing for ECF but I doubt it is enough to win a title without significant injury luck since that team lacks a top 5 player

Some team might push their chips in on Giannis. Says it’s OKC with a Chet + picks package

Are the Cavs really competing with SGA + Giannis and equally good depth?

The best they’re doing in that scenario is praying the Thunder are injured

It all depends on if the Cavs just want to sustain moderate playoff runs for a long time or if they want to push their chips in to go for another title. You can’t have it both ways

Giannis doesn't = title though.

Giannis has been in the NBA for 12 years and made the Finals once, winning the title that season.

If we look more recent, Giannis needs the Cavs, more than Cavs need him... 2025 Bucks gentleman swept in the 1st round, 2024 calf injury misses the playoffs & Bucks lose in the 1st round, 2023 back injury misses half the series and Bucks gentleman swept in the 1st round.

Sure dude the Cavs don’t need a top 3 player

I think we’re done if that’s your opinion

[JayMKE]

Giannis is better than Mobley but for how many more years? 7 year age difference. We have no idea when Giannis' prime will end (he could have another 4 prime years, or we could start seeing his athleticism fade as soon as the season after next.) Mobley is 23, had 2-3 more seasons before his prime even starts, and just busted out as an all-NBA level player.

Trades ideas like this remind me of Kawhi wanting to play with Paul George instead of Pascal Siakam or Shai Gilegous-Alexander, and the Clippers making it so. At the time, Paul George had just come 3rd in MVP and DPOY voting. He was way better than Siakam or Shai. Even back then though, I remember thinking: for how long? It ended up being... arguably zero time. Siakam outplayed him the very next season, and the season after that, Shai started flashing his future MVP potential.

Giannis will always be better than Mobley, Mobley is just a defensive big. Nice piece but not the cornerstone. I don’t want the guy anyways, it’s kinda laughable you have a guy in the Bam tier being called untouchable for a top 15 all time in his prime perennial MVP but rgm has some nuts homers who really over value their players and anybody deemed “young”

Bucks aren’t trading Giannis

At the very least, someday Giannis will be retired while Mobley will still be in the NBA.
I don't think you know Mobley's game or potential very well based on how you're describing it.

I suppose that’s true but I don’t see Giannis falling off any time soon, he’s just in another stratosphere offensively and I think Mobley 4 years in isn’t going to make another leap. He’s somebody who was compared to Giannis and KG, he couldn’t be further in terms of demeanor on the court, he just isn’t that guy. I saw Giannis as an 18 year old and how he developed, he was never a passive player. Good maybe great player, not an MVP not a #1 or #2 on offense, team won’t go far with him as best player.

[JujitsuFlip]

That’s probably fine to keep pushing for ECF but I doubt it is enough to win a title without significant injury luck since that team lacks a top 5 player

Some team might push their chips in on Giannis. Says it’s OKC with a Chet + picks package

Are the Cavs really competing with SGA + Giannis and equally good depth?

The best they’re doing in that scenario is praying the Thunder are injured

It all depends on if the Cavs just want to sustain moderate playoff runs for a long time or if they want to push their chips in to go for another title. You can’t have it both ways

Giannis doesn't = title though.

Giannis has been in the NBA for 12 years and made the Finals once, winning the title that season.

If we look more recent, Giannis needs the Cavs, more than Cavs need him... 2025 Bucks gentleman swept in the 1st round, 2024 calf injury misses the playoffs & Bucks lose in the 1st round, 2023 back injury misses half the series and Bucks gentleman swept in the 1st round.

Sure dude the Cavs don’t need a top 3 player

I think we’re done if that’s your opinion

Brother, it was done when you mentioned it lol

1. Cavs are a 2nd apron team, so they can't aggregate contracts. It is not financially possible.

2. Cavs can only offer their 2031 first rounder. Bucks are going to desire way more draft capital than that.

We'll keep our 23 year old DPOY, you'll have to find someone else to send your 31 year old superstar with the 2 years left on his deal.

[cupcakesnake]

Giannis will always be better than Mobley, Mobley is just a defensive big. Nice piece but not the cornerstone. I don’t want the guy anyways, it’s kinda laughable you have a guy in the Bam tier being called untouchable for a top 15 all time in his prime perennial MVP but rgm has some nuts homers who really over value their players and anybody deemed “young”

Bucks aren’t trading Giannis

At the very least, someday Giannis will be retired while Mobley will still be in the NBA.
I don't think you know Mobley's game or potential very well based on how you're describing it.

I suppose that’s true but I don’t see Giannis falling off any time soon, he’s just in another stratosphere offensively and I think Mobley 4 years in isn’t going to make another leap. He’s somebody who was compared to Giannis and KG, he couldn’t be further in terms of demeanor on the court, he just isn’t that guy. I saw Giannis as an 18 year old and how he developed, he was never a passive player. Good maybe great player, not an MVP not a #1 or #2 on offense, team won’t go far with him as best player.

I dont see what you're seeing at all.
Mobley was extremely aggressive this year. Literally driving the ball at guys and dunking on them like almost no one else (except for obviously... hehe... Giannis). One of the more vicious rim attackers this year in both the regular season and the playoffs. The Cavs offense fell apart, and injuries messed them up a little, but this wasn't about Mobley's play or being passive. He scored almost every time they got him the ball. The ankle sprain slowed him down a bit, but what's the case against Mobley in these playoffs?

I wanna be clear. I don't think Mobley is going to be Garnett or Giannis. Those are top 20 all-time legends. Mobley's not as strong/athletic or Giannis, or as skilled as KG. He's already ridiculously good though: DPOY and very good offensive player on a 60+ win team. My concern is more than... in 2-3 years, Giannis will be pushing into his 30s, likely declining in terms of athleticism, while Mobley will be just starting his prime. You better win a championship with Giannis in the next 2 years (and hope he pairs better with Mitchell than he did with Lillard), because after that your team is getting old.

I'm not sure why so many Bucks fans are confident Giannis wont be "falling off any time soon". Name 1 all-time level NBA athlete (besides Lebron) that didn't start declining in their early 30s. I'm rooting fo Giannis to play at a high-level for as long as possible. It could happen. He could be the exception, but we have to at least factor in the likelihood of athletic decline from the most dominant NBA athlete since Shaq.

[DowJones]

This team has not had a backup center for three years. No one ever acknowledges this or cares. Why? This is probably why Allen looks like such a scrub in the postseason: cause he gets no damn help.

Maybe if there was someone in there in the paint Siakam would not be strolling to the hole for open drives in Game 5. Indiana is deep at every position; we have too many wings and not enough bigs. We always get guys like Tristan or Robin Lopez who either can't play or coach doesn't put them in anyway.

This is a treadmill team and this is our ceiling, though I would be curious what happens if this massive roster hole is shorn up, especially if it was a big, physical body. We ran it back for three years and this current unit is clearly not winning ****.

You shouldn’t need a backup C. You have Allen and Mobley. When Allen is off the floor you just play Mobley at C. The Pacers were fine playing Siakam at C and he’s paired with a negative defensive player in Toppin. Mobley + Wade/Hunter should be a much better defensive pairing than anything the Pacers were throwing out during the non-Turner minutes.

I get the Mobley injury hampered things but this is the 2nd round of the playoffs, these guys should be able to play 35+ mpg. You shouldn’t need to rely on a 3rd string C at this point of the season. Allen/Mobley/Wade (and Hunter) should have been more than adequate to handle the 96 minutes of C/PF. Allen played 30mpg in the Indy series. He can’t handle more than that?

Backup C is very low on the list of the Cavs concerns.

This outcry for a backup center from my fellow Cavs fans has baffled me for three years. People act like a big man who plays 5–10 minutes a night would somehow elevate the team. Your post is exactly right.

[JayMKE]

At the very least, someday Giannis will be retired while Mobley will still be in the NBA.
I don't think you know Mobley's game or potential very well based on how you're describing it.

I suppose that’s true but I don’t see Giannis falling off any time soon, he’s just in another stratosphere offensively and I think Mobley 4 years in isn’t going to make another leap. He’s somebody who was compared to Giannis and KG, he couldn’t be further in terms of demeanor on the court, he just isn’t that guy. I saw Giannis as an 18 year old and how he developed, he was never a passive player. Good maybe great player, not an MVP not a #1 or #2 on offense, team won’t go far with him as best player.

I'm not sure why so many Bucks fans are confident Giannis wont be "falling off any time soon". Name 1 all-time level NBA athlete (besides Lebron) that didn't start declining in their early 30s. I'm rooting fo Giannis to play at a high-level for as long as possible. It could happen. He could be the exception, but we have to at least factor in the likelihood of athletic decline from the most dominant NBA athlete since Shaq.

Giannis with slightly less athleticism is still more athletic than most 5s, barring a major injury knock on wood I don’t see any reason to worry about him falling off in the next 2-3 years. People denigrating his skill level don’t know wtf they’re talking about.

If Shaq took care of his body then he wouldn’t have had weight and nagging injury issues, he would have had a longer playing career if he wasn’t playing at near 400lbs.

[DowJones]

They aren’t trading Mobley. And if they did, it would be stupid.

If the Cavs think that internal development is the best path forward then they should stick to that

But the notion that Wemby, Amen, Mobley, Chet, etc are all untouchable seems a little silly when what’s at stake is a player that immediately puts a team into title contention or the odds on favorites depending on roster. Possibly even immediate dynasty territory if we’re talking specifically about OKC

Are all of these young blue chip prospects going to be MVP caliber? Probably not

Mobley and Wemby shouldn't be grouped in with the other two IMO. Mobley has already won DPOY, at 23, while posting a hair under 20 and 10 on offense.

Also, he's under contract for 5 more years, versus two for Giannis, and the Cavs owe five years of picks to the Jazz.

Mobley is so much closer to Chet than he is to Wemby in terms of value. I put Mobley well below Wemby in terms of value, but above both Chet and Amen.

[DowJones]

Mobley is on wembys tier of untouchables

This board says everyone is untouchable. There can only be a few MVP tier players in the league. There’s a big cost to acquiring such a player

Giannis is better than Mobley but for how many more years? 7 year age difference. We have no idea when Giannis' prime will end (he could have another 4 prime years, or we could start seeing his athleticism fade as soon as the season after next.) Mobley is 23, had 2-3 more seasons before his prime even starts, and just busted out as an all-NBA level player.

Trades ideas like this remind me of Kawhi wanting to play with Paul George instead of Pascal Siakam or Shai Gilegous-Alexander, and the Clippers making it so. At the time, Paul George had just come 3rd in MVP and DPOY voting. He was way better than Siakam or Shai. Even back then though, I remember thinking: for how long? It ended up being... arguably zero time. Siakam outplayed him the very next season, and the season after that, Shai started flashing his future MVP potential.

The question is: do you want to go all-in on a 3- to 4-year window, or take a more cautious approach that keeps the team competitive—not necessarily title contenders, but playoff-caliber—after Mitchell begins to decline? I think that decline could be fairly dramatic, given his play style, size, and the physical toll his game takes on his body. If it were up to me, I'd rather take the big swing now and then enter a traditional rebuild in four years, once we regain access to our draft picks.

Mitchell (28)
Strus (29)
Hunter (27)
Giannis (30)
Allen (27)

I think that is a very good starting 5, and I believe this gives the Cavaliers a legitimate 4-year window to win a title. This team is immediately the favorite to reach the finals in the East.

[Iwasawitness]

Giannis will always be better than Mobley, Mobley is just a defensive big. Nice piece but not the cornerstone. I don’t want the guy anyways, it’s kinda laughable you have a guy in the Bam tier being called untouchable for a top 15 all time in his prime perennial MVP but rgm has some nuts homers who really over value their players and anybody deemed “young”

Bucks aren’t trading Giannis

At the very least, someday Giannis will be retired while Mobley will still be in the NBA.
I don't think you know Mobley's game or potential very well based on how you're describing it.

I suppose that’s true but I don’t see Giannis falling off any time soon, he’s just in another stratosphere offensively and I think Mobley 4 years in isn’t going to make another leap. He’s somebody who was compared to Giannis and KG, he couldn’t be further in terms of demeanor on the court, he just isn’t that guy. I saw Giannis as an 18 year old and how he developed, he was never a passive player. Good maybe great player, not an MVP not a #1 or #2 on offense, team won’t go far with him as best player.

Evan Mobley? Passive player?

And I thought the “Garland is Dlo but a better passer” take was bad.

[Iwasawitness]

That’s probably fine to keep pushing for ECF but I doubt it is enough to win a title without significant injury luck since that team lacks a top 5 player

Some team might push their chips in on Giannis. Says it’s OKC with a Chet + picks package

Are the Cavs really competing with SGA + Giannis and equally good depth?

The best they’re doing in that scenario is praying the Thunder are injured

It all depends on if the Cavs just want to sustain moderate playoff runs for a long time or if they want to push their chips in to go for another title. You can’t have it both ways

Giannis doesn't = title though.

Giannis has been in the NBA for 12 years and made the Finals once, winning the title that season.

If we look more recent, Giannis needs the Cavs, more than Cavs need him... 2025 Bucks gentleman swept in the 1st round, 2024 calf injury misses the playoffs & Bucks lose in the 1st round, 2023 back injury misses half the series and Bucks gentleman swept in the 1st round.

Sure dude the Cavs don’t need a top 3 player

I think we’re done if that’s your opinion

Good, take this ridiculous trade idea somewhere else.

[Iwasawitness]

This board says everyone is untouchable. There can only be a few MVP tier players in the league. There’s a big cost to acquiring such a player

Giannis is better than Mobley but for how many more years? 7 year age difference. We have no idea when Giannis' prime will end (he could have another 4 prime years, or we could start seeing his athleticism fade as soon as the season after next.) Mobley is 23, had 2-3 more seasons before his prime even starts, and just busted out as an all-NBA level player.

Trades ideas like this remind me of Kawhi wanting to play with Paul George instead of Pascal Siakam or Shai Gilegous-Alexander, and the Clippers making it so. At the time, Paul George had just come 3rd in MVP and DPOY voting. He was way better than Siakam or Shai. Even back then though, I remember thinking: for how long? It ended up being... arguably zero time. Siakam outplayed him the very next season, and the season after that, Shai started flashing his future MVP potential.

The question is: do you want to go all-in on a 3- to 4-year window, or take a more cautious approach that keeps the team competitive—not necessarily title contenders, but playoff-caliber—after Mitchell begins to decline? I think that decline could be fairly dramatic, given his play style, size, and the physical toll his game takes on his body. If it were up to me, I'd rather take the big swing now and then enter a traditional rebuild in four years, once we regain access to our draft picks.

Mitchell (28)
Strus (29)
Hunter (27)
Giannis (30)
Allen (27)

I think that is a very good starting 5, and I believe this gives the Cavaliers a legitimate 4-year window to win a title. This team is immediately the favorite to reach the finals in the East.

I don’t know what part of this is so hard for people like yourself to understand, but the Cavs CAN’T TRADE FOR GIANNIS. It is literally not possible. And even if it was, we probably still wouldn’t do it, and we sure as hell wouldn’t give up Mobley to make it happen. It’s a terrible idea.