The offseason has been pretty dramatic with numerous all-stars changing teams, new NBA rules, and the new NBA schedule for next season. There were so many questions as to where Kyrie Irving was heading and whether the New York Knicks would trade Carmelo Anthony. Now, things get clearer as we head closer to the NBA regular season. Here are a few updates on the NBA free agency:
Cavaliers add solid players and lower luxury tax
As the offseason was about to end, NBA analysts graded the Cleveland Cavaliers an F thanks to the release of GM David Griffin and the whole Kyrie Irving drama.
But now Shams Charania of The Vertical reports that they have turned it around with a blockbuster trade that featured Kyrie Irving, Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and the Brooklyn Nets first round NBA draft pick for 2018. This move makes the Cavaliers even better than they were last season. This is due to the addition of elite point guard Isaiah Thomas, who had an incredible season last year with career highs in points, blocks, and Field Goal Percentage.
With Isaiah Thomas being the primary asset in the trade it is hard to see the great value Jae Crowder will provide when he plays in Cleveland this offseason. Crowder will improve the Cleveland Cavaliers game on both ends of the floor in the small forward or power forward position, as he is arguably better than Iman Shumpert in every way.
Jae Crowder can help the Cavaliers especially when LeBron is not on the floor. Last season in the NBA, Crowder also had an incredible season, averaging career highs in assists, rebounds, field goal percentage, and three point field goal percentage.
As the offseason ends, the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking strong if they can play together next season.
They not only get stronger for next season but also acquire a high-value first round draft pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. This also helps in their rebuild if LeBron chooses to leave Cleveland in 2018.
Alex Poythress signs contract with the Indiana Pacers
The RealGM staff reported that Alex Poythress has agreed to a two-way contract with the Indiana Pacers and their G-League affiliate the Fort Wayne Mad Ants this offseason.
He played for Kentucky in his college years where he fell to injury in his junior season but returned the next year and averaged 10.2 points and six rebounds per game. Poythress was undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft and played for the Orlando Magic for the 2016 Summer League. This move is a nice opportunity for Poythress to make his mark in the NBA and prove that he deserves to play in the league.
