It was reported last week that the Pistons have an interest in trading for Kyrie Irving and executive/coach Stan Van Gundy had “some level of conversation” with the Cavs about a deal. Sam Amico of Amico Hoops hears that those trade discussions involved Reggie Jackson, but the trade talks didn’t advance very far. The Suns may be the favorites in the Irving sweepstakes, though Amico adds that if talks between Phoenix and Cleveland break down, the Pistons could be among the teams that new GM Koby Altman turns to next.
Here’s more from Detroit:
- While trading for Irving for will bring excitement to the Detroit, it may not be best for the franchise’s long-term plans, Rod Beard of The Detroit News contends. A deal for Irving would likely see the Pistons part with Stanley Johnson and Andre Drummond. Beard argues that Irving’s unwillingness to commit to any franchise long-term makes trading top talent for the point guard too risky of a proposition.
- Whether or not Avery Bradley re-signs with the Pistons next offseason will determine the team’s long-term future, Beard writes in a separate piece. If Bradley bolts in free agency, the team would have given up Marcus Morris for a one-year rental and let Kentavious Caldwell-Pope leave for nothing. Beard opines that those kinds of moves tend to set franchises back.
Cleveland should take Morris & Drummond or Jackson & Drummond for kyrie.
It’d be hard to take Morris and Drummond for Kyrie when Morris is in Boston. Reggie and Drummond for Kyrie wouldn’t be a salary match. Adding Drummond at center makes no sense because Thompson would still be on the team and the Cavs would be paying over 35 million a year for two centers
I think Denver and Phoenix could potentially offer the best deals for Irving. Bledsoe, Bender, 2018 MIA 1st, and 2021 MIA 1st or Faried, Murray, 2018 DEN 1st, 2019 Swap Rights, and 2020 DEN 1st would be great for the Cavs. The 2018 and 2020 picks from Denver would have to include protections though. Perhaps top 3 for 2018 and Top 10 for 2020
Jackson has to be in there, bender has no value.
Phoenix said they aren’t willing to give up Jackson and their reported offer doesn’t include the 2021 MIA 1st which I put
Then they don’t get Irving. Bledsoe and bender is trash and the pic offers little to no value. Irving and booker are a terrible combo lmao, both are score first players. This trade makes no sense for both parties.
I agree. But those are the best deals the Cavs will probably receive. Especially since Miami seems reluctant to give up Winslow
Bender is a bust. Worst pick since Anthony Bennet. Out of the league in 3 years.
Give him one more year. He’s really young and didn’t play much
Rookies and or sophomores don’t play on the cavs but rather play most of there minutes in canton. It’s just the way it goes with title contenders are.
Would have to be Thompson and Irving for Drummond and Jackson. Don’t see this as any type of upgrade for the Cavs though.
It’s a downgrade and a reason why the Pistons won’t get Kyrie
Drummond, Jackson and Bradley would be the only way cavs get better. Get rid of Irving while also ousting Thompsons awful contract. Best chance to win next year. Gets rid of lebrons bud tho so wouldn’t help in keeping Lebron long term
Drummond can’t move as well as Thompson out on the perimeter so he’s a liability against Golden State’s offense. He’s also unplayable in a close game in the 4th quarter. Reggie is a worse playmaker, scorer, and shooter than Kyrie. Cleveland also adds salary more salary than they give up in the deal.
Good points
Man people are sleeping on Eric Bledsoe, dude is 21pts 6 reb and 6 assists with good shooting percentages, and he can play defense. I think national media forgot because they sat him last 15gamres or whatever last year so they could tank, and cuz suns didn’t win, but what was kyrie before Lebron? On a crappy team and averaging 20+, and still not playing defense. Plus Bledsoe is on a good contract. If you got a pick and Jackson too or maybe a pick and bender…people immediately label bender a bust after 1 year too lol it’s crazy how quickly we write players off, especially the ones that don’t even get many minutes, it’s all about opportunity and being able to play through mistakes. Every year a couple players in the top 5 end up not workIng out, which makes me wonder why teams and fans value draft picks so much, I guess it’s cuz you have a chance at a star and on a cheap contract for 4 years and then can pretty much make sure you keep them if you want to.
Oh and Drummond is garbage he can’t shoot free throws so can’t play crunch time so he isn’t worth 25m a year, maybe if he made 15 but cavs can do better, and does anyone really want Reggie Jackson on their team for 18m a year? Someone please correct me on his salary
Please stop talking about Bender. He is a bust. The worst pick since Anthony Bennett. Out of the league within 3 years.
Relax. Some people thought Kobe wasn’t going to be good after averaging 7 points as a rookie. Bender is extremely young. Give him another year before passing judgement
Oh I get it. Now bust Bender is Kobe lol. I’m not giving him nothing. I know a stiff when I see one. And don’t tell me to relax.
I’m not saying he’s Kobe. I’m saying players who are 18 can improve and become better and writing them off as bums this early is stupid
Relax.
Relax foo
Relax big dog
Dude how is he a bust? He barely played his rookie year and is very young.
You’re about right on Reggie’s contract and I completely agree with you on your other points. Bledsoe, Bender, and the two Miami picks or Faried, Murray, and two or three Denver picks are the best the Cavs will get and it’s not a bad deal
Drummond probably is not a trade target for the Cavs because of their obsession with GSW. Avery is something but especially as a PG, his personality should be a fit to avoid being a James irritant… I guess I’m suspicious of this. VanGundy seems to have big plans for Johnson.
Question… why does Bullock and Marjovic not get any PT? They are standouts on the 36minute table.
It’s all about the top guy coming back, not the pieces. Drummond is the only asset that triggers a deal for KI. He’s a truly elite talent and a top 20 asset in the league, like KI certainly is. Nobody else mentioned is close. Bradley as a rental and Jefferson would be good pieces, but you don’t trade a KI for them and picks. The stakes being what they are, you don’t settle for what others are willing to give. He can play unhappy as can LeBron. Sometimes guys play better when that’s the case. In any event, it could be decades before the Cavs have another chance at a player like KI. Bledsoe types are available every year and you don’t need much to get them.
SVG is a Riverboat Gambler. He is gambling his career that KCP doesn’t turn into a star, Stanley Johnson does turn into a star and Bradley stays and signs a long term deal. He might be able to justify KCP if Stanley Johnson turns into the real deal but if Johnson sucks and Bradley bolts, say goodbye to SVG.
I see Ron Artest in Stanley Johnson.