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     Saarang Pilla Bewarse Username: Saarang Post Number: 695 Registered: 04-2015 Posted From: 97.126.40.189 Rating: N/A |
Jonathan Tjarks The Cavaliers just pulled off the impossible. They had tried to move Kyrie Irving for more than a month, but had been unable to find a viable trade partner for their unhappy point guard because they wanted to accomplish two contradictory goals. On one hand, they needed elite talent in return for Kyrie to have any chance of convincing LeBron James to stay past this season. On the other, they had to protect themselves if LeBron left by getting young pieces they could rebuild around. Trading an All-Star and getting better in the short and long term isn’t easy. Just look at how little the Pacers received for Paul George. And then Tuesday happened. The Cavs got everything they wanted from the Celtics: an All-Star (Isaiah Thomas), a defensive-minded rotation player (Jae Crowder), and two intriguing future pieces in Ante Zizic and the Nets’ unprotected first-rounder in 2018. They might have made this trade even if Kyrie didn’t want out. Cleveland can plug Thomas into Irving’s role without missing a beat. He was a better version of Kyrie last year, at least in the regular season. They are both ball-dominant point guards who can score at will but struggle on defense. The difference is Thomas scored more often and more efficiently, despite playing with significantly worse teammates |