He's due to make a max salary but doesn't want to play with LeBron? Who do he think got him to the position where he's an all-star and not just a guy who scores a lot of points for a losing team?
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Irving strikes me as a bit of a selfish d bag
Best moment of the year was Brogdon throwing down on he and LeBron in the same game
He's perfect for the Knicks. He can average 35 for 30 win team.
He's a world class scorer with ZERO defense.
Irving is due $20MM the next 2 years and has an option for year 3. Given all the big money contracts handed out the last couple of years he's a relative bargain but it would have to be the right situation.
San Antonio might make sense because you know Pop would reign him in and quite frankly they need some scoring help. The Wolves would be fascinating simply because of the talent they have been assembling.
Personally, I hope he goes to the Knicks because that would be such a Knicks type move. He can put up 50 shots a game and be "the man" and they will win 25 games.
What's somewhat lost in all of this is WTF is happening in Cleveland? They were already teetering on the cliff with LeBron potentially leaving after this year so this basically assures it's going to happen. They will quickly become the SF 49ers of the NBA. A powerhouse for 3-4 years and then a lottery team later.
It's great news for teams like Milwaukee and Boston and Toronto because now the window may open for the next several years assuming Irving and Bron eventually go west.
Windhorst says Bron is "devastated"
If LeBron and Kyrie leave, then the NBA will probably have Cleveland get the first pick of the draft again - of course their ball will be chosen "coincidentally" like it was the 2 years before LeBron came back to them.
Some rumors circulating about the Bucks and Phoenix and Cleveland involving potential Irving deals. While I am not a huge fan of Irving his ability to score would fit a need with Milwaukee as they are/were prone to scoring droughts during the year.
Not sure Cavs would deal within the conference but the one thing the Bucks have going for them is expiring contracts and young talent.
Is it just me or is the NBA like TMZ or a tabloid anymore? Player X doesn't like player Y and calls him a cupcake, Player A wants traded because he wants to be the man etc.
It makes for good sports radio talk fodder but the Bucks could deal for Irving. A package would likely have to involve Brogdon and either Middleton or Parker and maybe multiple picks but if they could also include Cleveland taking back salary in a Henson or Teletovic that would be well worth exploring as Irving is under contract for the next two years.
Can't see Jabari having much value right now. Would think a #1 draft pick would need to be involved in addition to a Brogdon, Middleton, etc....would be bummed to see Jabari as a throw in. Only untouchables would probably be Giannis and Thon ?
Have heard the Griz might be looking to unload Mike Conley. Always loved him, but age and contract make him somewhat undesirable at this point.
I would say that's correct- Maker and Giannis are untouchable
As for Conley- he's due 120MM the next 4 years. That's incredible
I did not think he's going anywhere. The Bucks have nothing of value that they'll be willing to part with. And he sure as hell isnt interested in Milwaukee.
When it's all said and done, I think he'll stay. Next year is when the real fireworks start. And for the Bucks, trading expiring contracts will be their greatest asset at the trading deadline. That's when they could make a move.
Reupping this thread to discuss the Kyrie Irving trade. A lot of the pundits are criticizing Ainge for this trade, which baffles me. Irving has never put much effort into playing defense, but at least he's physically capable of putting up some resistance. Isaiah Thomas on the floor means you are essentially playing 4 on 5 on defense. I thought the Celtics played better in the playoffs when he had to sit. Irving is a top 5 offensive player in the NBA. He's one of the best slashers/drivers to the basket for a guard that I've ever seen. He's also a great shooter. Kryie's best comparison is James Harden (another great offensive player who has some defensive liabilities).
I felt this trade was a huge win for the Celtics.
I think the Cavs are in trouble & won't beat the Celtics unless the Cavs get somebody to defend while IT is on the bench
If the Cavs were really serious about the long-term, you would have to think they'd look to move LeBron now. He's basically telegraphed he's leaving for LA next year. If Dan Gilbert had any sense (which I don't think he does) he could easily handle the PR hit for moving LeBron by setting up this scenario. He could go public with the fact that now that Kyrie is gone, they have to think for the long-term and that means that they want LeBron to sign a long-term contract. LeBron will refuse and then Gilbert can move him for something right now. Even if he gets 50 cents on the dollar it's better than nothing.
The Cavs go-to 5 player lineup in crunch time looks like it will be Lebron, Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson, Isaiah Thomas, and JR Smith. 2 of those guys (Love and Thomas) are huge defensive liabilities. You aren't winning a championship with that lineup. Even if you got to the finals (and I think the Celtics are now the favorites in the East), who is Thomas going to guard? He'll be giving up 6 inches to Steph Curry and 10 inches to Klay Thompson.
They just traded a 25-year-old, 4-time all-star for a 5'8" midget (albeit with some offensive skills) who is still recovering from a hip injury. If Thomas has any lingering effects from that hip, he's toast. His quickness is what he's got going for him.
If Cleveland was going to blow this up anyway by trading Irving with time still on his contract, why keep Love and LeBron just so you can lose in the 1st or 2nd round of the playoffs? Start to rebuild now.
The key for Cleveland is the unprotected Nets first round pick. You can never guarantee where that will end up but it should be top 5 barring some draft lottery shenanigans.
I actually think Cleveland got the better of this deal assuming Thomas isn't hampered by the hip injury. Sure, he can't defend but neither did Kyrie and Crowder gives them a decent defender they didn't have prior to the deal. IT is also a great locker room guy that will help improve chemistry for a team that was shaken badly after getting bounced by GS.
I get why Boston made this deal but as of today I don't think they are better than Cleveland. I also wonder how that team will mesh; just about their entire core group is brand new and haven't played together.
The real winner in this deal might be Milwaukee as they are no worse off for staying put and should still compete this year and next. They were rumored to be in the mix but hard for Cleveland to pass up the Boston deal if the Bucks were really only offering Middleton and Brogdon and a #1 pick. Plus, you had to figure adding Irving with Giannis would scare the crap out of everyone in the East so Boston may have panicked and gave up the pick they really shouldn't have.
Should be interesting but the bottom line is neither Boston nor Cleveland are good enough to challenge the best in the West.
The rumors that the Bucks offered Middleton, Brogdon, and their 1st are being refuted. I personally don't think that highly of Irving- doesn't make anyone else better, just a high profile one on one player who now plays for a coach smart enough to use him right. Celtics top seed and conference finalists turned over most of their roster. They must really think Brown and Tatum are going to be great- they've traded away almost all of their front line depth and best backcourt defender. But Stevens has shown he knows what he's doing. And with Hayward, they're big 3 are really good, especially for the Eastern Conference.
I think the Cavs get the better end of this deal. The key is the pick of course- but Crowder fits in great on this team. If Thomas is healthy (a definite question mark), he at least fills most of Irving's shoes. But getting Crowder to replace Jefferson (big upgrade) and continue to space the floor for Lebron and Thomas, plus Korver and a motivated Rose off the bench? The Cavs IMO are better now than this time last year.
Then when Dwayne Wade gets his buyout in Chicago and joins them for the playoffs...
It seems like the Bucks trade rumors were just that - rumors. Probably for the best anyway.
I like Stevens but he will have his work cut out for him. Boston overachieved last year and now the expectations are much higher and he has to get the chemistry right. That won't be easy with basically an entirely new team.
Everyone is overlooking Toronto right now and they are still pretty good in that division so would not write them off.
So one guy(Crowder) in the EC that can guard Lebron effectively is now in Cleveland. I think Cleveland is looking to the future as having the Nets pick is big. Nice get for them if Thomas stays healthy.
Kyrie is a hell of a player, and young too. He's only 4 months older that Brogdon.
I worry more about Irving's attitude at this point. He seems like a bit of a diva and headcase.
Thomas may not clear the physical? What a cluster that would be if the deal gets rescinded
I think Cleveland would ask for more rather than rescind the trade. IMHO, they really want that Nets' first round pick.
I hope they don't get it. That would really piss me off. Eff Cleveland
Not that I disagree with you... but what exactly is it about Cleveland that you hate?
They already have the Nets pick. Boston has more picks they could give but I'm not sure why they would.
On the surface Cleveland fleeced Boston in this deal but if indeed it was contingent on Thomas not being fully cleared or healthy then the Cavs are pulling yet another douchebag move asking for more compensation.
If I were Boston I would actually rescind the deal. Keep the Nets pick and a gimpy Thomas. Long term it's probably better anyway. Then let Cleveland try to deal with the schit show that would ensue with a grumpy Irving and no future pick and the possibility of Lebron bailing after this year.