[jaysmith1987Participant]

 The cavs are a mess right now.  While I did not think David Griffith was a good gm I do think it was terrible timing.  The cavs could have used a guy like Jordan bell in the second round or even picked up Motley after the draft but it looks like with no gm they will have to run it back and I honestly don’t think they make it back to the finals this year.  No one wants Kevin love and Thompson has to be one of the worst contracts in basketball.  Dude isn’t that good of a shot blocker and he only has these monster rebound games against teams with no length and no iq.  He never has the hug rebounding games against the warriors.

[90sNYKParticipant]

 The Thompson contract isn’t bad when you consider what he gives you. Hes an athletic, high energy big that can change the game with his offensive rebounding. Just because he’s not a good match for the Warriors lineup doesnt mean that hes a bad player. There are other players that make around the same amount of money and aren’t nearly as valuable. Biyombo, Noah, Deng all make more money and aren’t even half as valuable.

[Bankroll PJParticipant]

 I agree with this.  It’s amazing what the Warriors have done to the perception of guys like Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson.  They were both playing great until the Finals where their weaknesses were exposed. Both guys are above average starters and would be difficult to replace unless the Cavs can find a way to get another star.  

[nill650Participant]

 they could not buy a pick this year per cba.

They have no 1st rounders to offer that they are allowed to offer before 2021

there are a couple of undrafted free agents that could help them durring the regular season if they chose to go that route…but other than 2-way deals it’s doubtful they would have any significant impact in the post season.

They are not as much of a "reported mess" as lead to believe.

They went to the finals 3 yrs in a row and despite failing to get it done this yr,were still the 2nd or 3rd best team in the league when it matters. 

I am glad they did not trade KLove, I think he is far to valuable to that roster and moving him is not the answer. 

The fact that they were trying too move Love is what has Irving venting…not just because the GM’s contract wasn’t extended. 

Also you need to take into consideration that Griffin was there on the cheap, and wanted more than Gilbert considers the job worth paying,esp as invoved in the entire process that Gilbert is regardless of who is the GM.

The players concerns are waranted , because they don’t want to break up the core, and knew Griffin didn’t want to either…but Gilbert just wants to win,and if he thinks he can increase his odds by adding different players around James he will try to do it,even if it actually makes them worse in the short term because he is all about another championship & a big time gambler ..despite the fact that it is almost never as easy as swapping allstars he might try it anyway. What they need is to attract FA to fill holes in the roster better than they did last year. 

Griffin was and still is a great GM and so that is the frustration in the lockeroom from 1-8 as to just what kind of assets can the team aquire in the wake of his departure without bailing on the core that has gotten them so far the past 3 yrs in the first place.

They will get a buyout vet to come there for sure,not sure if it will make them that much better equiped to handle GSW , but if its somebody who is willing to take a cut to win…it might.

they also get some youth to combat the ware and tear on the aging roster, they shoul’d be in a good place again next June with the chance at another Championship run.

If not next yr is the time to be concerned about the franchise remaining relevant

Griffin was trying to set up plans to move Love, per his owners orders…but did not want to nor did he think it was smart…so he left.

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 Best case scenario: BOTH D Wade and Carmelo get bought out and end up on the Cavs.  

Say what you will about a bunch of old dudes, and also their need for an athletic 7 foot rim protector, but these two help put a bit more space between them and the Celtics/Wizards/Raptors.

Kyrie, LeBron, Melo, D Wade, and Love give them a super high scoring Death Lineup. TT, JR, and Shump give them more balance, length, and defense.

Could have TWO 70 win teams next year…

[jaysmith1987Participant]

Was Tristian Thompson even a reliable nba player before lebron got there?  I don’t remember anyone mention Thompson as a valuable piece before lebron got there. Some role players can look great when there is a mega star and a potent scorer in Irving he gets offensive boards because teams are worried about lebron and Irving.  If he was on a team like the nets people would see he is not worth 82 million if he was worth that when he was a restricted free agent no one offered him. This guy got 82 million with no other team wanting to pick him up.  Cleveland consistently trades draft picks for guys who have killed there long term potential and if lebron leaves and Kyrie they are worse than before.  Griffin should have never traded wiggins for Kevin love.  At worst with Wiggins the cavs are the same team with a chance to have continued success and better cap space.  Lebron and Wiggins could have been the most athletic 2/3 in the league.  The cavs got by in the east this year because other teams had glaring holes but I think Boston comes back next year better and the wizards come back better. 

[nill650Participant]

 he has been the same player since his 2nd year in the league first year he just blocked a ton of shots.

He has also improved his ft shooting a lot from how bad it was in last few years when he switched shooting hands. 

You are wrong about how good he is. There are no other smallball centers in the league that rebound and set screens like he does & there isn’t a team in the league that wouldn’t want him. 

This notion that Wiggins for Love deal was bad is just a terible analysis of KLoves value on that roster. You obviously only watched them in the Finals.

[MatosParticipant]

Its not that Thompson isnt a good serviceable player. It’s that $18 million is a large chunk of change on a CHAMPIONSHIP CALIBER team. If he was making 18 mil on the Magic, we wouldn’t be having this discussion. But that’s critical money for a team that is looking to compete with the Warriors. Especially when you have guys on the W’s side that are taking paycuts and/or team friendly contracts.

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