Guys, it's time to admit the Cavs won trade season

[ederson]

They got better but LeBron had to play 95mins in the last two games....... OK!

[LilRip]

HAHAHAHAHAHA

So wait. Would the OP trade Kyrie for Nance, Hill, Hood and the 8th pick?

[gouki88]

HAHAHAHAHAHA

So wait. Would the OP trade Kyrie for Nance, Hill, Hood and the 8th pick?

Duh! 

That’s an obvious win

[mctyson]

I'll be the first to eat crow.

Turning Isaiah and Crowder into Nance and George hill was the move of the year.  Meanwhile Kyrie ended another season in street clothes.

The proof is in the proverbial pudding.   

I think getting Hill was a bonus for them, he certainly affected the Celtics series.  The rest of those guys will eventually be playing in China, so no.

[jambr380]

Larry Nance averaged 4 points and 4 rebounds this series. Jordan Clarkson shot 30%. Rodney Hood fell out of the rotation completely.

Hill was a smart pickup for them but the difference makers among the Cleveland role players were msotly the guys that were there already: Thompson, Green, and Korver.

This.

Also, the Cavs traded a 1st round pick and took on the contracts of Hill and Clarkson which run about $31.5M/yr through 2020 - that is horrible! I get that they made the Finals, but it really had nothing to do with their new guys. I just hope it somehow convinces Lebron to stay in CLE because any team he goes to next year will be better than the one he is on now.

[Celtics4ever]

The only reason the Cavs won was LeBron.   Also, Jeff Green who was signed as a FA.

Their trades had really minimal effect on this series.  Kyrie is better than anyone they got or traded for....

[Vermont Green]

I think the Cavs salvaged their roster with the follow up trades to get Hill, Clarkson, Hood, Nance for IT, Crowder, Shumpert, and whatever.  There is some contract baggage moving forward but I think their mindset was all in for one last LeBron run.  It is not a major upgrade for them but with IT essentially out, Hill was really important to stabilize the PG position and the rest took turns providing some contribution along the way.

If the OP is implying that this series somehow proved that Cleveland won the IT-Kyrie trade, I do not buy that conclusion.

Their salary ledger is not pretty.  They have $102M committed to Love, Hill, Thompson, Smith, Clarkson, Korver, Orsman, Zizic, and Nance.  Plus money for the #8 pick (unless they stash).  I predict that James is gone and the Cavs will follow the Sixers rebuilding model.

[wdleehi]

I don't know.  The Cavs seemed to have an easier time reaching the Finals last year. 



Just once I would like to see the Celtics play them in the playoffs with their best player available.

[Big333223]

Larry Nance averaged 4 points and 4 rebounds this series. Jordan Clarkson shot 30%. Rodney Hood fell out of the rotation completely.

Hill was a smart pickup for them but the difference makers among the Cleveland role players were msotly the guys that were there already: Thompson, Green, and Korver.

This.

Also, the Cavs traded a 1st round pick and took on the contracts of Hill and Clarkson which run about $31.5M/yr through 2020 - that is horrible! I get that they made the Finals, but it really had nothing to do with their new guys. I just hope it somehow convinces Lebron to stay in CLE because any team he goes to next year will be better than the one he is on now.

Yep. Cleveland's books are a disaster. They have $62 million committed to Hill, Tristan, JR, and Clarkson for the next 2 years. Lebron leaving would be a disaster for all of the reasons why the best player of his generation leaving your team would be disastrous but Cleveland would also have no way out.

[Moranis]

Larry Nance averaged 4 points and 4 rebounds this series. Jordan Clarkson shot 30%. Rodney Hood fell out of the rotation completely.

Hill was a smart pickup for them but the difference makers among the Cleveland role players were msotly the guys that were there already: Thompson, Green, and Korver.

This.

Also, the Cavs traded a 1st round pick and took on the contracts of Hill and Clarkson which run about $31.5M/yr through 2020 - that is horrible! I get that they made the Finals, but it really had nothing to do with their new guys. I just hope it somehow convinces Lebron to stay in CLE because any team he goes to next year will be better than the one he is on now.

Yep. Cleveland's books are a disaster. They have $62 million committed to Hill, Tristan, JR, and Clarkson for the next 2 years. Lebron leaving would be a disaster for all of the reasons why the best player of his generation leaving your team would be disastrous but Cleveland would also have no way out.

Hill's last year has a team option with only a very small amount guaranteed.  Smith is also only partially guaranteed that year (I'm not sure the guarantee portion).  And while Korver's contract isn't that big, he too is also only partially guaranteed that year.  So the 19-20 cap year isn't nearly as bad from a cap perspective for the Cavs, but next year it is awful for them. 

[tazzmaniac]

Larry Nance averaged 4 points and 4 rebounds this series. Jordan Clarkson shot 30%. Rodney Hood fell out of the rotation completely.

Hill was a smart pickup for them but the difference makers among the Cleveland role players were msotly the guys that were there already: Thompson, Green, and Korver.

This.

Also, the Cavs traded a 1st round pick and took on the contracts of Hill and Clarkson which run about $31.5M/yr through 2020 - that is horrible! I get that they made the Finals, but it really had nothing to do with their new guys. I just hope it somehow convinces Lebron to stay in CLE because any team he goes to next year will be better than the one he is on now.

Yep. Cleveland's books are a disaster. They have $62 million committed to Hill, Tristan, JR, and Clarkson for the next 2 years. Lebron leaving would be a disaster for all of the reasons why the best player of his generation leaving your team would be disastrous but Cleveland would also have no way out.

Hill's last year has a team option with only a very small amount guaranteed.  Smith is also only partially guaranteed that year (I'm not sure the guarantee portion).  And while Korver's contract isn't that big, he too is also only partially guaranteed that year.  So the 19-20 cap year isn't nearly as bad from a cap perspective for the Cavs, but next year it is awful for them.

1M guaranteed for Hill and I think less than 4M guaranteed for Smith. 

[clevelandceltic]

Wait so since those players are still playing its the move of the year? Its better than Indy getting Oladipo, George going to OKC, Kyrie going Boston,  Butler going to the Twolves? I honestly can not believe I just read this.

[SHAQATTACK]

I don't know.  The Cavs seemed to have an easier time reaching the Finals last year. 



Just once I would like to see the Celtics play them in the playoffs with their best player available.

amen to that

[GreenFaith1819]

LeBron James' ultimate goal is to win his 4th Championship.

It's not happening against GSW.

His partner / wingman - is in Green right now - via a blockbuster trade.

I think, ultimately - we will be seeing a repeat of this



Remember those "NBA-Marvel" mash-up comics from a few years ago?

 I don't believe LeBron James is staying in CLE if they lose again to GSW.

[gouki88]

LeBron James' ultimate goal is to win his 4th Championship.

It's not happening against GSW.

His partner / wingman - is in Green right now - via a blockbuster trade.

I think, ultimately - we will be seeing a repeat of this



Remember those "NBA-Marvel" mash-up comics from a few years ago?

 I don't believe LeBron James is staying in CLE if they lose again to GSW.

Imagine if he went back to the Heat

That would be so chaotic I think I'd actually enjoy it.