In an attempt to match the firepower of the Golden State Warriors, the Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to pursue All-Star swingman Paul George of the Indiana Pacers. The Cavaliers’ entry into the PG13 sweepstakes makes this year’s off-season even more intriguing with so many high-profile teams – the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics included – lining up for George’s services.
The Source and Details:
Ben Golliver of Sports Illustrated discussed several off-season trade options for the Cavs following their finals loss. The most prominent of which is the move for George, who is currently the hottest name on the trade market.
George, who will become a free-agent next summer, is currently being pursued by the Celtics, Sixers, and Lakers. Cavs certainly makes the competition a little more crowded. But unlike their competitors who are capable of throwing in combinations of draft picks and young players, the Cavs are pinning their hope on the trade value of Kevin Love.
“A trade built around Love-for-George looks like a win-win-win. While George is the superior player, Love carries no flight risk, as he’s under contract through at least 2019,” per Golliver.
What does this mean for the Cavs and Paul George suitors?
The Cavaliers have no choice but to upgrade despite the looming luxury tax bills. With LeBron James once again threatening to bolt out of his hometown for the glamor of Los Angeles, Cavs general manager David Griffin and owner Dan Gilbert will be compelled to pull all the stops to keep the King happy on his turf.
For the Celtics and Lakers, the Cavs represent a serious threat to them as far as their chances of getting George.
Potential Roadblocks
Then again, the Cavaliers really can’t offer much aside from Love. They traded all their first round picks for the next three years, while J.R Smith and Tristan Thompson aren’t attractive trade targets because of their bloated deals.
As for the Celtics, Lakers, and Sixers, they can easily woo the Pacers’ front-office wit an enticing combo of high picks and upside players. The Celtics, in particular, has this year’s no.1 pick to dangle in potential trade talks with the Pacers.
Author’s Take:
The Cavaliers are still their licking their wounds after they got obliterated by the mighty Warriors in five games.
With the NBA off-season now in full-throttle, the Cavaliers front office can now shift its attention on adding game-changing players that would allow LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and the rest of the squad to topple the Bay Area powerhouse.
For a luxury tax-paying team, a big portion of offseason transactions for the Cavs will take place on the trade market. Unfortunately, the Cavs are not only capped in the free-agency market, they can’t also make any significant move on the trading front with their not-so-team friendly roster makeup. It’s the reality they have to deal with in the next four months of free agency.
