Not a week has passed since the 2017 NBA finals came to an end and rumors are already circulating around the Cleveland Cavaliers and their potential off-season moves. The 4-1 loss in the finals against the mighty Golden State Warriors will sting a bit, but, sooner than later, the time will come to refocus on the task ahead, and this includes making the necessary changes in order to have a better chance of grabbing the NBA title next season. For example, do the Cavaliers need to break up the big three?
No more Love in the big three
Kevin Love should be on the trading block.
The other two components of the big three, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, are clearly untouchable. On the other hand, Love cannot continue to live off the credit he earned with the defensive play against Stephen Curry in one of the last possessions of last year's finals. Love seemed to have found his groove within the Cavaliers' offense this year. However, his best play has proved to be not enough for his team. His performance in Game 5 was the last straw that broke the camel's back. Love had a poor six points (2-8 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 2-5 FT).
Kevin Love was nowhere to be found in the Cavaliers' most important game of the season, and his early foul trouble cannot be an excuse. His rebounding is always there and his defense isn't.
It seems like if he is not making his three-pointers, then he is unable to get into a rhythm and impact the game in other ways. Love averaged 16 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 1 assist per game. He averaged 3 more points in the regular season. It seems like there isn't enough Love when the stakes are highest.
What does Thompson add to the Cavs?
Tristan Thompson is the other half of the Cavaliers' duo of big men. He is another piece that should be dealt. The trivial talk about a Kardashian curse filled the pages in social media, but it cannot excuse his play in the finals. Thompson averaged 5.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks on 25.4 minutes per game.
There was no trace of Thompson's famous rebounding skills or energy plays. The Cavaliers, basically, had on the floor a player who could neither score nor defend/rebound.
Thompson is even more one-dimensional than Love. When he doesn't get into his flow of grabbing almost every offensive rebound, then his purpose on the court becomes questionable. The Cavaliers cannot afford to start two big men who cannot bring different things to the table, including a tenacity, aggressiveness, and focus that is necessary for the NBA finals.
Cavaliers' needs
The Cavaliers would be better off with an All-Star that is not one-dimensional. The aging LeBron James can no longer be the team's defensive anchor. The Cavaliers are in desperate need of an interior player who can defend or protect the rim.
The Cavaliers need to become more rugged. The team with the 22nd best defense in the regular season certainly needs to add players who can commit themselves first to defense.
The Cavaliers also need an additional playmaker on the floor. LeBron carries too much of the burden on the offense. Having another player with a high basketball IQ would benefit the team and let LeBron rest a bit.
Thus, when names like Carmelo Anthony or Paul George emerge in the media as possible trade targets for the Cavaliers, it doesn't make much sense. With Irving and LeBron on the team, the Cavaliers do not need another ball-dominant, isolation-oriented player, no matter how enticing their names might be.
The only way any team can attempt to beat these Warriors is not by looking to outscore them, but, rather, by being more physical and slowing them down. Teams have already begun to shift their focus to the off-season with hopes of closing the gap with the defending NBA champion Warriors. The Cavaliers are certainly atop this list.
