What seemed like a smooth off-season for the Cleveland Cavaliers has turned into the opposite. Their second-best player has his foot out the door, and the youngest MVP in NBA history will take over the point guard position. Kyrie Irving no longer wants to play with LeBron James, and the Cavs are in a position where they have no choice but to ship Kyrie elsewhere. On the other hand, Derrick Rose has arrived, but is that good news?
The Irving and James breakup
The latest chapter of the Irving-James drama was recounted by ESPN's Stephen A. Smith. It has been reported that Irving believes that LeBron's camp leaked the news of his trade request.
Irving informed Cavaliers management of his decision roughly two weeks ago, and the news surfaced only a few days ago. It has also been reported that James felt blindsided.
The latest report indicates that "If Kyrie Irving was in front of LeBron James right now, LeBron James would be tempted to beat his a**," the source told Smith. The wound seems to be deeper than imagined in Cleveland. The two superstars have reached a point of no return, and now management needs to make a decision in terms of trading Irving.
James has been something of an unofficial manager of the Cavaliers for a while now. Irving seems agitated with the way LeBron controls the organization and the credit he receives from the Cavaliers' every move.
Now, Irving has decided to take control and not let LeBron decide both their futures next year.
Irving sees a lose-lose situation in Cleveland. If James decides to stay with the team, then Irving would have no option but to accept living in LeBron's shadow for at least one more year. If James decides to leave the Cavaliers, then Irving would be stuck with a weak roster and Cleveland would no longer be a very attractive destination for NBA players
Derrick Rose, the replacement
One point guard will leave but another has arrived.
Former NBA MVP Derrick Rose has agreed to a one-year, $2.1 million deal with the Cavaliers, per ESPN's sources. Rose, 28, averaged 18 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.8 rebounds for the deficient New York Knicks last season. Rose, while clearly not the player he was six years ago, remains a productive player in the league who can still use his athleticism to get by players and be efficient around the basket.
The Cavaliers are taking a big risk by adding Rose. They have signed a player who has proven over the last years that he plays with no heart. Basketball is not his main focus anymore. The Cavs have signed a player who simply decided to not show up to his job one day (Game Knicks vs. Pelicans, January 9, 2017). It seems like his devastating injuries did not only take a toll on him physically but also emotionally.
Rose's addition also raises doubts in terms of his ability to fit in LeBron's system. James likes to draw two defenders and pass the ball to a three-point shooter. Rose has never been a solid perimeter shooter, and, with the ball in LeBron's hands for the most part, his confidence and productivity might hit a new rock bottom.
