CLEVELAND- The Cleveland Cavaliers shook the NBA up by trading Kyrie Irving to the Celtics for Isaiah Thomas , Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and the Nets 2018 first round pick. Irving requested the trade citing he was angry about previous trade discussions and was tired of being LeBron James’ sidekick.
Irving is now Boston’s main offensive weapon. Normally this would be viewed as an unfavorable trade that could eventually lead to the Cavaliers’ imminent collapse. However, by adding stars Derrick Rose and Isaiah Thomas, Cleveland is nearing super team status.
The Chicago Bulls are expected to buy out Dwayne Wade’s contract and James is confident he will sign with the Cavs. Obtaining Wade with Thomas and Rose would seem like the final nail in the Golden State Warriors coffin. However, the Cavs would be still one piece away from a legitimate chance to dethrone the Bay City’s perennial championship threat.
There is speculation that the Cavs and Pelicans will engage in trade talks with the New Orleans Pelicans for Center/Forward DeMarcus Cousins. The Pelicans have not extended Cousins contract so this could be his last season in New Orleans. Cleveland needs a bigger center even if that means trading Tristan Thompson.
Cousin’s height is 6 feet, 11 inches. The Cavs may be able to keep Thompson and make him a strong presence off the bench. The only issue with that is Thompson is a max contract player which makes this trade possibility murky.
In an interview with The Herd (Colin Cowherd), Fox Sports One reporter Nick Wright explained how the Cavs can trade for Cousins without giving up Thompson.
Nick Wright’s trade proposal
Cavaliers receive
DeMarcus Cousins
Pelicans receive
Iman Shumpert
Channing Frye
2018 Nets First Round pick
This trade proposal is nice on paper. The Pelicans would obtain multiple players that would make up some lost ground in the trade with the Sacramento Kings for Cousins. Even so, there is a possibility the Pelicans will demand Thompson in the trade package or the deal would be off the table. The Cavs may have to be willing to part with Thompson since he may not be happy with a bench role. It is unusual for a max contract player to accept a backup role.
Here is a different trade proposal:
Cavaliers receive
Demarcus Cousins
Pelicans receive
Channing Frye
Tristan Thompson
2018 Nets First Round pick.
Based on this new proposal, the Cavs will get Cousins while sheeding the bloated contract of Thompson and get Channing Frye’s deal off of their hands, as he is nearing retirement. If either of these moves come to fruition, a projected new-look Cavs lineup will look like this.
PG: Isaiah Thomas
SG: J.R. Smith
SF: LeBron James
PF: Kevin Love
C: DeMarcus Cousins
What do you think? Should the Cavs pull the trigger, will this move put them on the level of the Golden State Warriors? Let me know in the comments section below.