Acquiring the Nets’ unprotected first-rounder for 2018 in the Kyrie Irving trade gives the Cavaliers plenty of options, writes Ashish Mathur of AmicoHoops. He adds that several teams have reached out to Cleveland about the availability of the pick since the Irving deal was announced Tuesday. The Nets had the league’s worst record last season at 20-62, and their pick was first overall at the lottery. Boston, which owned the rights to swap picks with Brooklyn, subsequently traded it to Philadelphia. The Nets have upgraded their roster over the offseason, but still seem like a good bet to return to the lottery.
The Cavaliers’ front office is no hurry to move the pick, Mathur adds, speculating it might wait for a player like Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins to become available. If New Orleans gets off to a poor start and decides to move Cousins to avoid losing him in free agency, Mathur suggests a package of Iman Shumpert, Channing Frye, Cedi Osman and the Nets’ pick could be enough to get a deal done.
There’s more news out of Cleveland:
- The Cavaliers’ offseason moves should help ease the load on LeBron James and possibly entice him to remain in Cleveland, Mathur adds in the same story. Isaiah Thomas and Derrick Rose will team with James to give the Cavs three skilled penetrators who can create shots for the team’s 3-point specialists. Jae Crowder provides another strong wing defender who can take over James’ responsibilities of guarding top perimeter players.
- The hip injury that Thomas aggravated during the playoffs may be a lingering issue in the early part of the season, according to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com. Celtics president Danny Ainge admitted the injury had “some” effect on the decision to deal Thomas, adding, “There’s going to be probably a little bit of a delay for Isaiah as he starts the season this year.” However, Thomas will be checked out thoroughly, and a team source told Vardon that the Cavs don’t believe his physical condition will be an issue.
- James is criticizing fans for burning the jerseys of former players, relays NBA.com. In a series of tweets, James speaks out against Celtics fans for burning Thomas jerseys after he was traded on Tuesday and against Jazz fans for doing the same after Gordon Hayward signed with Boston last month. James, of course, was the subject of mass jersey burning in Cleveland when he signed with the Heat in 2010.
I wouldn’t give up that pick for 1/2 season of Cousins. It’s going to end up as Porter or Bagley.
I would if they want to beat the warriors so badly.
Pick won’t be as useful as you think, nets improved, Hawks, Pacers, Kings, Suns, Lakers, etc all don’t have a reason to win
Nets improved? They’re still one of thr worst teams in East and will be in lottery. You can’t tank for #1 pick in NBA. Cavs got top pick with a 1% chance….
Is don’t even get the burning of IT’s jersey. He was traded, he didn’t choose to leave
Welcome to the club
I wonder whether Celtics released a bunch of players so they don’t get traded to the Cavs. If those players were included in the deal, Irving could get more money from trade kicker.
Those players were released in order to have enough room to sign Hayward
It says create twice after it talks about it and drose being penetrators.
Once a player is traded the jersey is pretty worthless so who cares how they get rid of it….probably why a few people burn them….they spent $ on something that doesn’t make sense to wear anymore.
I’ve never seen a legit Jordan Bulls jersey under a $100. Did that become “worthless” when he played for the wizards? Or how about any of the other countless HOFers that played for multiple teams in really any sport? Sure, the jersey loses value initially, but it isn’t “pretty worthless”; don’t make ignorant statements.
Are you comparing MJ to Isaiah Thomas?
Jordan wasn’t traded….not even close comparison….just stop
That’s Jordan. This is Isaiah Thomas.
Slight difference there.
I agree with what you said. We never really heard of jersey burning until LBJ left the Cavs. It’s usually done in anger and not because it “doesn’t make sense to wear it anymore”. Anyone that thinks that is a little dull imo.
Its a cry for attention by disgruntled fans who seek to forget that the players don’t belong to their team permanently.
I was able to turn my Cowboys Julius Jones jersey into a Pacman Jones one and now a Zeke one.
So you changed it from a scrub, to a thug, to a woman beater? Haha.
Just playing Z-A, besides I can’t say anything. I’ve got a Randy Moss Pats jersey…….same number as Aaron Hernandez. Funny how things change so quickly in the NFL.
The Brk#1 should be used for ADavis or saved for the draft. The Cousins trade needs an extension but not Osman. Indeed look for Gasol first. When will Memphis be ready to deal?
The Cavs don’t have nearly enough to get the Brow. Seriously, if the Brk pick (which isn’t a guaranteed #1) wasn’t enough for the celts to get him, what makes you do sure the Cavs will?
Not at all sure. I don’t think Davis tries to force a trade this season… and the Celtics will still have more picks by the time he does agitate– if he does. But that is basically Gasol’s stage right now!
The next draft is loaded with bigtime bigs, and by then, the Cavs may as well take one, rather than deal with N.O. and try to outbid Boston.
Probably this is preferable to using it for Cousins at a midpoint. There may not be enough time for him to ramp up his ways to get after GSW adequately. IDK. People are curious, watching him to see how he does…
The great thing about the NBA is that Cousins’ best deal is pre-determined. If we were on the market I would ask him to sign an extension. Either he would want to play in Cleveland or he won’t. I would not trade the pick without an extension in place for him.
However, ohhhh weeee he would be an amazing addition to the team especially if LBJ stays. Talk about bully ball. Cavs could use some nastiness.
So what the cavs will waste all there payroll on Thomas who has already stated he wants a top contract n Lebron who wants a top contract overall? Say goodbye to one cle.
Waste all of what payroll dude? The difference between what Irving made and what IT might want is only about another $7 mil per? If IT has another great season and can stay healthy then I doubt Gilbert would flinch on paying him. If LBJ leaves then I doubt Gilbert will want a team devoid of a star player. IT could give fans a reason to come to games.