Has this Series Changed Your Opinion on Who We Should Draft?

[yoyoboy]

I've been a huge proponent of taking Mikal Bridges because I think consistent three point shooting and elite versatile defense is the perfect addition to a LeBron team, especially when you consider his low chance of busting.

But this series has really exposed how much we lack a secondary offensive creator who can take the load off of LeBron and make things happen when we have nothing else going. Our defense hasn't even been the issue. The 106 DRTG we're posting would rank 8th in the RS, and this is against an Indiana team that hit threes at the highest clip in the league (defending threes was our biggest weakness in the RS), gets out in transition (we suck at transition D), and has the athleticism and length to really make things difficult for us. Oladipo especially is a horrible matchup for us. Our elite RS offense on the other hand looks absolutely terrible. We're hitting threes at a rate of 32% and unless LeBron is directly involved in the play, we can't score.

I'm starting to think we should consider taking Trae Young at 8 if he's there. His shooting, ballhandling, and passing would be a godsend on this team.

[jbk1234]

I've always thought the Cavs should draft Young if he's there at 8. That said, he won't be. If Bridges is there, you can never have enough two-way players.

The only thing about this series that's impacted my opinion is I wouldn't draft Ayton if we won the lottery. I'd trade the pick. If big men aren't strong enough to power through uncalled fouls in the post season, then the value they add is significantly reduced.

[dorkestra]

Trade Love for McCollum to get that creator. Draft one of the many intriguing big men.

[Stillwater]

Young struggled a lot in conference play once teams game planned against him. Obviously if he was the 2nd option it would open up some for him.
He is not my first choice at 8 being a terrible defender and overall way to weak to finish in traffic at the next level in other words he would be nothing but a chucker with no drive and kick ops for at least a couple of seasons.
He makes sense if LBJ is leaving because we would be in a long rebuild anyway.
I would rather have the underated Khyri Thomas and if anything from these playoffs reenforces that it's jrue Holiday which is Thomas's best comp.
I think Young will be taken by Orlando if they don't have a top 3 pick but would not think anyone else would pick him before maybe Chicago but unlikely.
https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1697669

[bmurph128]

If LeBron stays, we will IMO trade the pick for an established player.

If he leaves (which I think he will), you kind of have to build around the core that we traded for at the deadline and Love - scary as that is to say.

So PG would be the number one priority in that situation.

[Stillwater]

If LeBron stays, we will IMO trade the pick for an established player.

If he leaves (which I think he will), you kind of have to build around the core that we traded for at the deadline and Love - scary as that is to say.

So PG would be the number one priority in that situation.

Disagree with the odds being greatest he is leaving again. I personally think it's very unlikely he leaves. Anyway , assuming he stays I could see us moving the pick but dont expect anyone worth moving it for exists unless you want to trade 8 for a rental.

[cheese318]

I think Gilbert made his decision in June. He’s know spring chicken. Doesn’t have many elite years left in his body and wasting a season of this level of play with such a slim odd to win a title. The Owner of this organization chose firing a General Manager who always performed with the lights shining the brightest. That was a major blunder. Then he makes a trade for the future of LeBron leaving. Why else would he trade for the 1st rounder? If he wanted to help LeBron why would he trade for an injured 5’9” PG? Why would he not get the best available player to help LeBron compete for a title even if that said player is Kyrie... Gilbert got bamboozled by that Nets #1 draft pick. He showed how bad it is to not have a general manager when your young elite prospect demands a trade. He made fun of the Pacers for the return they got for PG13.

If LeBron is smart he will be joining the Philadelphia 76ers come July. His other option will be to join the Lakers with PG13/Kawhii. Cleveland would only keep him if they magically create a star because Kevin Love just cannot cut it as #2 option

If LeBron stays, we will IMO trade the pick for an established player.

If he leaves (which I think he will), you kind of have to build around the core that we traded for at the deadline and Love - scary as that is to say.

So PG would be the number one priority in that situation.

Disagree with the odds being greatest he is leaving again. I personally think it's very unlikely he leaves. Anyway , assuming he stays I could see us moving the pick but dont expect anyone worth moving it for exists unless you want to trade 8 for a rental.

[Stillwater]

I think Gilbert made his decision in June. He’s know spring chicken. Doesn’t have many elite years left in his body and wasting a season of this level of play with such a slim odd to win a title. The Owner of this organization chose firing a General Manager who always performed with the lights shining the brightest. That was a major blunder. Griffin walkedThen he makes a trade for the future of LeBron leaving. Why else would he trade for the 1st rounder? LBJ will not commit If he wanted to help LeBron why would he trade for an injured 5’9” PG? Why would he not get the best available player to help LeBron compete for a title even if that said player is Kyrie... Gilbert got bamboozled by that Nets #1 draft pick. He showed how bad it is to not have a general manager when your young elite prospect demands a trade. He made fun of the Pacers for the return they got for PG13.

If LeBron is smart he will be joining the Philadelphia 76ers come July. His other option will be to join the Lakers with PG13/Kawhii. Cleveland would only keep him if they magically create a star because Kevin Love just cannot cut it as #2 option

If LeBron stays, we will IMO trade the pick for an established player.

If he leaves (which I think he will), you kind of have to build around the core that we traded for at the deadline and Love - scary as that is to say.

So PG would be the number one priority in that situation.

Disagree with the odds being greatest he is leaving again. I personally think it's very unlikely he leaves. Anyway , assuming he stays I could see us moving the pick but dont expect anyone worth moving it for exists unless you want to trade 8 for a rental.

Griff walked and LBJ will not commit. I think this org did the best they could and LeBron knows that. Your assumption suggesting poor motives and the mindset that Gilbert has are the moves placing all blame on him and no one else are wrong. Even if he were a bad pr decision maker no matter how reasonable it may seem the results are irrelevant and what was sent out in the deal is unimpressive in value compared to slices of pie that can be shared and traded. Gilbert is a business monster and knew exactly what he was doing, what we got for a whiny disgruntled injury prone all-star was more than most teams would offer and it was the best compromise using the Nets pick as potential value which is yet to be determined esp if we still win the lottery or somebody falls to 8.
Obviously the hope was the Nets would still lose enough for more ping-pong balls but c'mon the odds are still pretty solid esp given no one including Griff could have gotten a better return or predicted that silver would let incredibly blatent late season tanking go unpunished.

[Stillwater]

Honestly wouldn't be surprised if we take Miles Bridges if Mikal is off the board if we are keeping the player. Wouldn't be my first choice but seems like the move this org would make also wouldn't be surprised if they pick Young either .
Idk but no one checks as many boxes as a immediate impact 2 way guard/forward after Mikal than Thomas. Obviously Doncic would be the cats ass picking in the top 2 or maybe at 3 but doubt he falls past 2 just too much skill there.

[cheese318]

Just got a different opinion. I wanted to keep Kyrie personally and would have forced his hand to stay. I just don’t think compensation was enough as good as IT was the previous year he had a major injury and it was known he would at least be out until January. How is that helping LeBron? As well IT is an awful on defense. How does that help LeBron? I don’t believe what you are selling that the best player offered for 25 year old Kyrie Irving was an injured 5’9 Isiah Thomas and if that’s the case why would you trade him? Oh because Dan Gilbert was scared of what LeBron James would do this offseason and thought protect myself with a hopeful Top Five pick. Now if it’s true Kyrie threatened to have surgery on his knee if they did not trade him I have no respect for him whatsoever. Hopefully they hit the lottery because that’s something that could save LeBron from jettisoning from Cleveland

I think Gilbert made his decision in June. He’s know spring chicken. Doesn’t have many elite years left in his body and wasting a season of this level of play with such a slim odd to win a title. The Owner of this organization chose firing a General Manager who always performed with the lights shining the brightest. That was a major blunder. Griffin walkedThen he makes a trade for the future of LeBron leaving. Why else would he trade for the 1st rounder? LBJ will not commit If he wanted to help LeBron why would he trade for an injured 5’9” PG? Why would he not get the best available player to help LeBron compete for a title even if that said player is Kyrie... Gilbert got bamboozled by that Nets #1 draft pick. He showed how bad it is to not have a general manager when your young elite prospect demands a trade. He made fun of the Pacers for the return they got for PG13.

If LeBron is smart he will be joining the Philadelphia 76ers come July. His other option will be to join the Lakers with PG13/Kawhii. Cleveland would only keep him if they magically create a star because Kevin Love just cannot cut it as #2 option

Disagree with the odds being greatest he is leaving again. I personally think it's very unlikely he leaves. Anyway , assuming he stays I could see us moving the pick but dont expect anyone worth moving it for exists unless you want to trade 8 for a rental.

Griff walked and LBJ will not commit. I think this org did the best they could and LeBron knows that. Your assumption suggesting poor motives and the mindset that Gilbert has are the moves placing all blame on him and no one else are wrong. Even if he were a bad pr decision maker no matter how reasonable it may seem the results are irrelevant and what was sent out in the deal is unimpressive in value compared to slices of pie that can be shared and traded. Gilbert is a business monster and knew exactly what he was doing, what we got for a whiny disgruntled injury prone all-star was more than most teams would offer and it was the best compromise using the Nets pick as potential value which is yet to be determined esp if we still win the lottery or somebody falls to 8.
Obviously the hope was the Nets would still lose enough for more ping-pong balls but c'mon the odds are still pretty solid esp given no one including Griff could have gotten a better return or predicted that silver would let incredibly blatent late season tanking go unpunished.

[cheese318]

I think Colin Sexton would be my pick if they stay in #8 spot. I do like the idea of Mikal as he is probably the most NBA ready and is going to be a great two way player. I really think they need to consider Trae Young if they believe he can handle the rigors of the NBA size.

Honestly wouldn't be surprised if we take Miles Bridges if Mikal is off the board if we are keeping the player. Wouldn't be my first choice but seems like the move this org would make also wouldn't be surprised if they pick Young either .
Idk but no one checks as many boxes as a immediate impact 2 way guard/forward after Mikal than Thomas. Obviously Doncic would be the cats ass picking in the top 2 or maybe at 3 but doubt he falls past 2 just too much skill there.

[Stillwater]

Just got a different opinion. I wanted to keep Kyrie personally and would have forced his hand to stay. I just don’t think compensation was enough as good as IT was the previous year he had a major injury and it was known he would at least be out until January. How is that helping LeBron? As well IT is an awful on defense. How does that help LeBron? I don’t believe what you are selling that the best player offered for 25 year old Kyrie Irving was an injured 5’9 Isiah Thomas and if that’s the case why would you trade him? Oh because Dan Gilbert was scared of what LeBron James would do this offseason and thought protect myself with a hopeful Top Five pick. Now if it’s true Kyrie threatened to have surgery on his knee if they did not trade him I have no respect for him whatsoever. Hopefully they hit the lottery because that’s something that could save LeBron from jettisoning from Cleveland

I think Gilbert made his decision in June. He’s know spring chicken. Doesn’t have many elite years left in his body and wasting a season of this level of play with such a slim odd to win a title. The Owner of this organization chose firing a General Manager who always performed with the lights shining the brightest. That was a major blunder. Griffin walkedThen he makes a trade for the future of LeBron leaving. Why else would he trade for the 1st rounder? LBJ will not commit If he wanted to help LeBron why would he trade for an injured 5’9” PG? Why would he not get the best available player to help LeBron compete for a title even if that said player is Kyrie... Gilbert got bamboozled by that Nets #1 draft pick. He showed how bad it is to not have a general manager when your young elite prospect demands a trade. He made fun of the Pacers for the return they got for PG13.

If LeBron is smart he will be joining the Philadelphia 76ers come July. His other option will be to join the Lakers with PG13/Kawhii. Cleveland would only keep him if they magically create a star because Kevin Love just cannot cut it as #2 option

Griff walked and LBJ will not commit. I think this org did the best they could and LeBron knows that. Your assumption suggesting poor motives and the mindset that Gilbert has are the moves placing all blame on him and no one else are wrong. Even if he were a bad pr decision maker no matter how reasonable it may seem the results are irrelevant and what was sent out in the deal is unimpressive in value compared to slices of pie that can be shared and traded. Gilbert is a business monster and knew exactly what he was doing, what we got for a whiny disgruntled injury prone all-star was more than most teams would offer and it was the best compromise using the Nets pick as potential value which is yet to be determined esp if we still win the lottery or somebody falls to 8.
Obviously the hope was the Nets would still lose enough for more ping-pong balls but c'mon the odds are still pretty solid esp given no one including Griff could have gotten a better return or predicted that silver would let incredibly blatent late season tanking go unpunished.

"""His name was put in trade talks by Griff (fallguy)which pushed KI over the point of no return mentally to where he said look DG I'm no good to this team without surgery so I get the trade talks but c'mon man I thought I was your guy .. doc says surgery can wait except for pain I'll have to ignore etc but if you don't trade me I'll have the surgery now and miss most of the season then I will leave in fa."""
Trading for a all star guard that is going to miss time and a lottery pick not to mention other movable assets doesn't sound like a bad trade for us at all and we got good value given those facts.
And ki was tired of being sonned as well and caused lr division last yr in playoffs not following LBJ advice or veteran leadership in favor of his own judgement and being shunned by his teammates and later blamed for the losses etc
Luckily we were able to get rid of it3 because Ainge and It3 did a superb job of covering up the severity of his injury. I suspected surgery was the right move and It3 was afraid to miss that much time in a contract year but CLE bought the idea that It3 would be that offense we lost in the trade etc if he came back healthy.. he didn't.