The Cavaliers had the busiest and most impactful trade deadline of any team, swinging three major trades and restructuring a faltering roster by the end of lunchtime on February 8. The behind-the-scenes and on-court struggles preceding the moves were a major talking point across the league, as Cleveland.com’s Joe Vardon breaks down.
For starters, Cleveland’s rookie general manager, Koby Altman, deserves a lot of the credit for seemingly righting a ship that was on the verge of sinking. LeBron James addressed the changes and praised the general manager.
“It just wasn’t working out for us, and he felt like, obviously you guys saw his quotes, he made the changes that he felt best fits our team,” James said.
Yet, Altman had to correct an issue that brought upon by decisions made by him, owner Dan Gilbert, head coach Tyronn Lue, and James himself, Vardon writes. James never wanted the team to trade Kyrie Irving; when he was dealt, the Cavaliers tried to assemble the best roster possible and attempted to accommodate James despite him not committing long-term.
- In the story, Vardon writes that the Cavaliers did not feel Dwyane Wade fit on the roster. However, once his buyout from the Bulls was complete, and at James’ urging, the team signed him anyway. While he adjusted well to the bench, Wade initially taking J.R. Smith‘s starter role had an adverse impact on Smith, who never got on track in the first half of the season. Also, Vardon notes that Wade — not Isaiah Thomas — was the first to question Kevin Love‘s illness that forced him to leave a game.
- Derrick Rose was recruited to Cleveland by Lue and – despite his injuries – was expected to a valuable piece on a team-friendly deal. However, just a few games into the season, Rose suffered a sprained ankle that diminished his performance and he eventually left the team to evaluate his future. Upon his return, his teammates accepted him publicly but privately felt it was a matter of time before he was dealt.
- A lot of was made of Isaiah Thomas‘ criticisms, which came while he was struggling himself. He admitted that he was not at full health as he recovered from the hip injury that kept him out to start the season. Lue felt he had to play Thomas as he was essentially Irving’s replacement but his performance never matched his output last season in Boston.
- Without a commitment from LeBron, the Cavs were reluctant to surrender draft picks or take on significant salary beyond the current season. However, Gilbert took on future salary in multiple instances, adding Larry Nance Jr., Jordan Clarkson, and George Hill, who are all under contract beyond 2017/18. It’s an insurance net for Cleveland in case James does leave in free agency. For now, James is prepared to take on the leadership role that he seemed to vacate while the team struggled. “So it’s my job as the leader of this team to make sure that I acclimate the new four guys to be around a culture that’s built on winning and practicing championship habits,” he said.
Gilbert actually only took on an additional $3 million in salary after you subtract the salaries of Frye, Shumpert, Thomas, Wade, Rose, and Crowder. He tried to unload J.R. Smith and Tristan Thompson, but nobody would take them. The $3 million additional becomes $9 million because of luxury tax. Reports say several league executives believe the moves were made planning on LeBron leaving believing they can’t fathom Gilbert paying a $300 million payroll.
I think Vardon’s $65.2MM figure might have erroneously included George Hill’s entire 2019/20 salary (only a small portion is guaranteed), so I removed it from our post.
IT brought everything to the media and needs to learn to be a pro. Even in LA after one game claiming his super powers are back haha then the next game he was awful again
I agree. I really wanted to love IT, but he wasn’t professional at all, and his performance wasn’t nearly enough to balance out the headaches he was causing.
I definitely don’t think it’s a coincidence that they had a much better record before he was activated, or that they’re undefeated since they traded him.
I’m just glad the garbage (except Frye. Frye was key in the locker room and helped the guys with a bit of humor… ‘Lil Kev lives on!!!) is gone and the Cavs have a breath of fresh air. I’m not sure why this is being rehashed unless there’s something new I’m missing.
However, Gilbert and Altman need a pat on the back as they’ve set the Cavs up for both situations. If James stays, he has the best chances at getting to the finals with the new young players plus the lotto pick. IF James goes, the Cavs have those new young players plus the lotto pick to begin a rebuild.
Bravo Gilbert and Altman! IF the Cavs had kept Kyrie, they’d be without those four new young players and the lotto pick and very little opportunity to improve their team as Kyrie sits on the bench all season.
Yes the unusual path the Irving trade took looks like it might work out after all.
I think some of those points are being rehashed because some idiots insist that James wanted Irving away, and that James decides who is on the roster or even who gets recruited. The guys he wanted, Bledsoe and JSimmons, did not happen.
Also, there is a predictable “closing of ranks” around the retained JR and a blaming of the traded Wade. There may also be a closing of ranks around James, per Irving, but the reality was it didn’t matter what James wanted with Irving, either way. The spotlight was on how Gilbert responded.
It is kind of new that Smith was so crushed when Wade initially took his job. I mean he obviously didn’t like it, but why is he is still hanging on to that? It is not an excuse for “first half” performance; Smith has NOT been Smith for most of the past two years!
I am waiting for the admission that it was a mistake to try to make JR a defensive stopper as a justification of his oversized last contract. He was not up to that and his offense suffered.
LeBron lovers will never admit how important Kyrie was to the team. He hit the winning shot to win the championship. He’s now the 2nd best point guard in the NBA. This LeBron stuff will continue until he signs a contract. That’s his fault. Gilbert could have done better with the trades if LeBron would have told him he was staying. They could have had Kemba Walker.
Liking LeBron doesn’t mean you hate Kyrie, and obviously if anyone thinks the Cavs win that series without Kyrie they’re insane. Don’t assume that you know how other people think
I watched the series. I know the announcers think Draymond cost them the series because of his suspension. I watched the Cavs game when Kyrie came back. They booed him. I’m happy for Kyrie. I like him. I don’t LeBron.
Kyrie got boo’d because he wanted to leave, why would Cleveland fans cheer that?
Kyrie disliked LeBron enough to threaten to have knee surgery and sit out the season.
Gilbert just traded 4 of LeBron’s group, and would have traded more if he could, to get his guys in.
I’m proud of Kyrie and Gilbert for standing up to LeBron.
HAHAHAHAHA!!
You’re proud of a guy who would cry and quit on his team because he didn’t like being their second best player.
You constantly complain about LeBron holding his team hostage but are proud of Kyrie of doing literally that
You know why Kyrie left. LeBron IS NOT A TEAM PLAYER! LeBron is all about LeBron. If LeBron was a team player, Kyrie would still be with them. I’m from Indiana. Butler lost the championship game 2 years in a row. Brad Stevens was coach. Gordon Hayward was his best player. Hayward came back to try and get the championship. I hope they do. Kyrie really likes Stevens and his teammates now. Kyrie held the team hostage because he said he wouldn’t play with LeBron any more.
LeBron gets his stats because he runs the offense, he’s a small forward. Point guards are supposed to run the offense, especially one that’s an all-star. That’s why Kyrie is in Boston. LeBron told Gilbert he wanted him to bring him to camp to try and work it out. Gilbert and Kyrie told LeBron where to put it. Awesome!
So you don’t believe what your hero Irving keeps saying about why he left. Some fan.
He wanted a new challenge with him in the James role. It was a personal development issue, and his dad’s preference, and he preferred the East coast like Love prefers the west coast. But when Love leaves you will blame James just as with Irving. Some personal issue with you probably involving bullies.
Look at this years top picks. Fultz, not playing. Lonzo, not playing. Tatum 10 ppg.,Fox 6 ppg.
Ntilkini, bench. Austin, not playing. Markanen and Dennis Smith have been ok. Like Malcolm Brogdan was last years ROY as a 2nd rounder, Kyle Kuzma and Donovan Mitchell have done best as later first round picks. The lottery doesn’t guarantee you anything. I say bravo to Gilbert now too. He’s getting his team back!
You might be the only person in the world that cheers for an owner instead of a team
If it weren’t for owners, we wouldn’t have teams.
I root for teams. I root for the Pacers. Their management and players get along. The Pacers fans appreciate their owner.
Markkanen has been “ok”? Lol. The guy is playing out of his mind. He’s a future all-star, who gets praise from everyone.
That’s for Dionis. We don’t know how he will do in future. He is a good shooter. His supporting cast will determine how he does. He is having a good rookie year, but Donovan Mitchell will be rookie of the year.
As I predicted grom the start.