The Cleveland Cavaliers have had a miserable offseason. They’ve merely signed three insignificant role players to the roster while re-signing Kyle Korver. The lack of moves has led to frustration for the team’s two star players LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.
James doesn’t like the direction the organization is headed, while Irving recently spoke out, saying the team is in a strange place at this time. They haven’t done anything significant to be able to compete with the Golden State Warriors. However, former general manager David Griffin was reportedly close to making a major acquisition.
Former Cavs GM close to making huge move
Before being fired by owner Dan Gilbert Griffin was very close to landing Bulls star Jimmy Butler. The Cavaliers were suitors for the three-time All-Star, but everything came crashing down when Griffin was relieved of his duties.
Obviously, Butler would have been a major upgrade to the roster, even if it meant trading Kevin Love for him. He would have provided the team with elite perimeter defense and a ton of scoring on the offensive end. He was the two-way player the Cavaliers desperately needed.
Unfortunately, Butler was ultimately traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, and the seventh overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft to reunite with former head coach Tom Thibodeau.
The Cavaliers were close to landing another star
Since the Butler trade fell through after Griffin’s firing, the Cavaliers apparently pursued Paul George as well. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, they were very close to landing George, too.
“It was so close in fact that Indiana was about to give permission to Paul George to get on the phone with Dan Gilbert,” Wojnarowski said on “The Jump.”
George is another stellar two-way player that would have possibly put the Cavaliers over the hump.
They key for Cleveland during the offseason has been to improve their defense by finding perimeter defenders to stop Golden State’s outside shooting. Unfortunately, they have been left with nothing but Jeff Green, Jose Calderon, and Cedi Osman as their key off-season moves.
It’s been disappointing to see the Cavaliers squirm so much during the offseason.
They have been strapped financially and don’t have the assets to acquire major talent. Carmelo Anthony is the only Star Player remaining that the Cavaliers could potentially attain, but the 10-time All-Star is more intent on being traded to the Houston Rockets to join the freshly-acquired Chris Paul.
