Originally posted by GameOver:
Yeah, these Nets pick rumors are interesting...
Obviously, NO doesn't ship AD for anything. At least they shouldn't. But...Cousins for the Nets pick + some salary dumps (Frye, Shump, whatever). That sounds absurd from Cleveland's point of view. Cousins is a rental. A one year rental. Unless the thought process is go all in this year and then just suck for a few years and do that whole song and dance again.
If they're going to ship the Nets pick, I have to imagine it'd be for a Devin Booker or Zinger type player. Young, a budding star, on a multi-year deal. Not Cousins who can bolt out.
Hell, if I'm NO, and you kind of hinted at this 4ML, I'd just see if I can do something around Cousins and Love. Love is a great piece next to AD and I think Cousins might be a better fit in Cleveland. Cousins for Love + Frye/Shump. Then again, Idk if I blow up the AD/Cousins experiment after just three months together last regular season.
Not really absurd to think the Cavs could decide to try and use that pick plus salary dumps to get another star. They
need do something to make the most of what could be Lebron's last season in Cleveland, but also try to do something to potentially make him stay. If they add Cousins for that Nets pick plus salary dumps and put a lineup out like - IT / Smith / Lebron / Love / Cousins - then it is difficult to see him finding a better supporting cast than that anywhere else. Of course going out to LA to play for the Lakers could appeal, but in all honesty the Cavs are probably Lebron's best option to end his career with because they have a well built roster that will be a perennial contender.
I don't think the Cavs would give up Love because he would fit nicely next to Cousins in Cleveland. Love knows his role in Cleveland and excels in it. Add one of the best centers in the league, factor in Lebron, and that front court is the best in the league. I suppose it really comes down to whether they want to keep or trade that Nets draft pick and whether that would be enough plus salary dumps to tempt the Pelicans to part with Cousins. I personally think the Pelicans would part with Cousins for that pick
unless they are winning and looking like they'll make the play offs, at that point they would stick with what they've got.
Originally posted by 4ML:
I'd love to get Porzingis for the Nets pick but doubt if Knicks will do it though.
I do think Love is on or will be on a trade block. With Crowder - Cavs don't really need Love. Yes, his rebounding will be missed but Crowder makes up for that with excellent defense.
It'll be interesting what Pels do with AD and Cousins. I wouldn't mind if Cousins is a rental to be honest. If Cavs somehow beat Warriors with Cousins - then I feel Cavs will have a good chance of re-signing guys.
Crowder is a better defensive player than Love without a doubt, but Love is a better scorer and stretches the court. Now if they add Cousins that means Love will be on Green or Durant if they face the Warriors, which they might decide not to do and instead put Crowder on the court and use Love with the rotation and against the Warriors rotation he should do a lot of damage. I think they will want to keep Love because their chances of a championship are better with him than without him unless of course they put together a package that involves the Nets pick and Love to get Anthony Davis or Porzingis - maybe in that scenario sacrificing him might be worth it.
If the Cavs can trade for Cousins, then a line up of IT, Smith, Lebron, Love, and Cousins would be a threat to the Warriors. It would still be tough to beat the Warriors but they would have a good chance of doing it if that line up clicked and stayed healthy. And come the end of the season I agree with you that I would fancy their chances of re-signing their guys. Granted Lebron might depart but a team that is built around IT, Love and Cousins could still be a force in the eastern conference. But that aside how many other teams can offer Lebron that level of supporting cast? I can't think of any that really stand out as realistic possibilities. I know people say he's going to LA to play for the Lakers but he's on a different timeline to them. With the Cavs in win now mode I think he would be best off re-signing with them.
2nd rounders get added to packages frequently and that's the same opportunity CLE will have now as well. Any assets they can give in order to get a deal done, they will use.
