Grade the Love Trade

[Cavsfan161]

I see this as good for Minny too. What they managed to get back for a star who's leaving was damn good. getting young too from sixers was a nice move.

 

[TeaLeaves]

I give it a B for two reasons...........1) If Love and Lebron don't resign with us it's a disaster. I'm pretty sure they will but you NEVER KNOW......remember the Boozer fiasco.

2) I would have liked to have waved bye bye to Tristan in the deal instead of Bennett.

 

[Jack Brickman]

 

[Willard513]

Wow.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

I give the Cavs a B on this trade.

While I do not believe Wiggins will ever be a superstar in this league, I do think he can be exactly what the Cavs needed at the 2 between Kyrie and LeBron. I don't need a primary ballhandler. I need an athletic wing who can play defense and score the basketball, which is what I project Wiggins to be.

Now, it's not that bad because Dion can be that guy as well, but Wiggins would be locked up longer.

Conceding that we have to give up Wiggins/Bennett/Miami 1st for Love, this trade could have still been an A if we brought back a second valuable piece--whether that be another big or a plus-defender on the wing.

I like the trade, and Love throwing outlet passes to LeBron and Kyrie will be a thing of beauty. However, we are relying on a core of AV/Kyrie/Love all with extensive injury histories, and a lack of defense between Kyrie/Love.

Our team is sexy, no doubt. But there are some gaps that I'd love to fill.

 

[Amherstcavsfan]

Probably an A+.

When the talks started, we were a team with a weak bench, a lot of young players who didn't have playoff experience, and a superstar who said he was committed to teaching the young guys. I was hands off of Wiggins and all for trading Dion.

However, since that time, the Cavaliers have added a ton of valuable, good experienced players from championship teams. LeBron has talked openly about Dion Waiters and loving his game. We actually got to see Wiggins and Bennett in summer league and see what their talent levels may be. And Kevin Love was more than willing, actually wanting to come to Cleveland.

I understand why some people don't want to give up Wiggins. I understand why some people think we overpaid. Some wanted us to wait for the deadline and see what comes then.

To not wanting to give up Wiggins, we are clearly in win now mode. I'm not sure if they were there at the beginning of the process, but when LeBron was able to convince Mike Miller, James Jones, Shawn Marion, and perhaps Ray Allen to come here, the focal point changed. This was no longer a window that would open in a few years. The time to contend was now, and Wiggins at the current time, is not a starter on a title team, IMO.

To the over payment people, it's far too soon to say that. At the current price today, the Cavaliers stole Kevin Love. They gave up three assets that had zero impact on the Cavaliers last year for a guy who is top ten in basketball as far as production goes. Kevin Love is a double double machine, a fast break creator, and a fantastic offensive threat. If we are to truly become a run and gun team like the Nash led Suns, you need a Kevin Love to grab rebounds and start the break. In the long term, though, we'll have to see. Wiggins could potentially be a top ten, five, or three player in a few years. He could become a total bust. He could get hurt. It's hard to say. I'd willingly take the gamble of the title contention now over the hope later.

To the people who wanted to wait till the deadline, it's really quite simple. Deadline deals almost never work out for a team, no matter how talented. Teams have to adjust, the player has to change his mindset, adjust to new coaching staff, learn a new system...basically we would forfeit the year for a chance at getting Love to help in 2015-16. Getting Love in before training camp gives the squad a chance to gel, to learn the nuances of each other, where every player feels comfortable on the floor. For that alone, I'd be willing to pay the extra talent price just to add to squad cohesion.

All in all, we massively upgraded at PF. We did not downgrade anywhere. We still have several assets to make further trades, including adding another center of reasonable ability. The time to win is now, and this is the best, easiest chance the Cavaliers will ever get.

 

[Prime 1978]

I admit, I was one of the people who voted to not trade Wiggins on that poll. However, I gave the trade an A+ for two reasons:

1. To be quite honest, after seeing Wiggins play, I don't see him ever being as good as Kevin Love. Dont get me wrong I saw his great athleticism and pretty step back jumper. I just didn't see a natural feel for the game. He reminds me of Tristan in that his athletic advantages are somewhat negated by his overall lack of natural feel for the game of basketball. So with that being the case, to get an Allstar/Olympian at the prime age of 26 (once the season starts) to pair along with the best player on the planet, that's a slam dunk if you as me.

2. I just don't see Anthony Bennett ever being worth his contract. After his rookie deal his qualifying offer is going to be pretty high. And even after what I saw in the summer league with him being in shape, I just didn't see him improving all that much. This coming from a person who held out hope that he would pan out.

 

[NarlCavs]

You win in the NBA with superstars. The Cavs just acquired an in his prime superstar to add to the best player in the game. This is an easy A+ for me. Opportunities to acquire Love level players rarely become available, especially for teams in markets like Cleveland.

It's time to win now and go for it now. Wiggins is at least 2 years away from being any type of significant contributor to a top playoff team. I think Bennett can be a solid pro but don't see star level potential.
Great move and great trade that I have no 2nd thoughts or doubts about.

 

[layneroxxx]

Are you guys factoring in the "suppose-ed" 5 - year contract extension that really isn't part of this trade?

There are no verbal contracts that are binding in the NBA, why are people lumping in a verbal contract into this trade? Especially being from Cleveland, why are people so open to a verbal contract in the house that got Boozered?

Why do people feel that it's a given that a verbal (non-binding) agreement is part of this trade?

 

[shoes22]

Are you guys factoring in the "suppose-ed" 5 - year contract extension that really isn't part of this trade?

Why do people feel that it's a given that a verbal (non-binding) agreement is part of this trade?

The verbal agreement isn't part of this trade and never was...but the thing is, we don't even need one.
Unless the chemistry ends up being some kind of complete unforseen disaster, Love isn't leaving. Setting aside the fact we can pay Love considerably more money than any other team...we also have LeBron committed here for the long haul because of his ties to the area, and Love isn't going to bolt after only one season of playing with LeBron.

Love is likely going to sign a five year contract extension with us for some career stability, to make some serious cash, and to protect himself against injuries. There will likely be some opt-outs in the deal, but I'm not too concerned about that. These next few seasons playing with LeBron will be HUGE for Love as he grows even more as a player and learns exactly what it takes to become a champion.

The other thing people have to keep in mind is Love is only 25. He likely has another max contract coming after this one is up. There are too many things in our favor that will make him commit long-term to us.

 

[Mdog1]

Personally a c+ or b-. If Love signs next season, A+. If he doesn't, obviously an F.

 

[jlegg21]

Pretty amazing there are any grades lower than A- in here. Mind boggling actually. This off-season has been something out of a Cavs fan's wildest dreams. At minimum, it's an A. We're about to begin an era consisting of the most loaded team and the most entertaining basketball this city has ever seen, by far.

This board should be doing cartwheels. Lakers and Knicks fans hate us cuz they aint us. My God, we're rolling with a core of LeBron, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving guys!!! .... !!!!!!!!

 

[czvo]

I was also against trading Wiggins for Love, but I ended up giving the trade an A. I still really like Wiggins, but a lot of what I've seen from people is "This trade is a B because we gave up a potential superstar" or "We gave up too much because we gave up Bennett/a pick." I really have to scratch my head at both of those statements.

On the one hand, yes, you could say the Cavs gave up a potential superstar... but they got, arguably, the best power forward in the league! A guy who is only 25. You'd think the Cavs gave up Wiggins for Robin Lopez or Nene. They got a top-10 player just entering his prime. Wiggins may be a potential superstar, but Love IS a superstar. Now, if you're operating under the impression that there's still a chance Love leaves at the end of the year, then I understand the hesitation. However, everything we've heard and seen points to him being here as long as LeBron is here, and LeBron is here for the long haul.

The Bennett/pick part is even more confusing, and I'm still very bullish on Bennett's future. I think the guy could still be really good, but he had the WORST rookie season of any top pick in recent history. The guy was impossibly bad. Yes, there were outside factors playing into that, but still, I find it hard to believe he had a lot of value out there. And frankly, what is his best case scenario? That he's half as good as Kevin Love, maybe? Haven't we seen in the NBA that you always want quality over quantity? As for the pick, it's a middle of the 1st pick at best, and it's not nearly as valuable as the Memphis pick. Big whoop.

I understand wanting to see those young guys play with LeBron, and the thinking that Flip had no leverage so why give up Wiggins, but the Cavs will get Love in for training camp. That's huge. And while Flip might not have had a ton of leverage, what's to stop him from taking the Bulls offer? Or what happens if the Warriors relent on Klay? I think we need to put this in perspective. The Cavaliers landed LeBron James without giving up anything (not quite, but we'll get to that in a second). Then they gave up Kevin Love without giving up Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters, Tristan Thompson, Joe Harris or Dellavedova. They managed to hang onto the Memphis pick, their own pick, and every pick they own in 2017 and beyond. Finally, they hung onto their two biggest player trade chips in Haywood and Varejao (I realize Andy was highly unlikely to be traded, but that doesn't mean it can't be counted as a win).

There's really no reason not to be excited about this.

 

[shoes22]

Pretty amazing there are any grades lower than A- in here. Mind boggling actually. This off-season has been something out of a Cavs fan's wildest dreams. At minimum, it's an A. We're about to begin an era consisting of the most loaded team and the most entertaining basketball this city has ever seen, by far.

This board should be doing cartwheels. Lakers and Knicks fans hate us cuz they aint us. My God, we're rolling with a core of LeBron, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving guys!!! .... !!!!!!!!

I feel like the people who are handing out automatic A's are grading our team and not the specific trade itself. If we gave up a bunch of draft picks and Dion and Tristan, would it still be an 'A'? Any team with LeBron, Love, and Kyrie is an 'A' level team, sure...but the trade itself wouldn't be. It's quite clear and has been reported that the Cavs were willing to meet whatever the Wolves terms were (within reason) if it meant they got Love. Which is fine, and the trade works well for both sides, but it's also why I'm not giving the grade of the trade an 'A'.

 

[godfather]

Interesting that Stephen A. Smith swears by it, that Klay Thompson at one point was on the table in this deal (well before we landed LeBron) and Minny said no.

I guess Steve Kerr was the barrier that didn't want them to do the deal. I was hesitate in dealing Wiggins at first too. I really like the potential of him and LB defensively, but reality is, this team wasn't going to win a title within the next 2 years likely, without some big additions added to this roster. LeBron I don't doubt will still be damn good then, but the clock would be starting to run out at that point.

I mean, this team would STILL have had Tristan as their starter, with the hopes that Bennett eventually figures it out.

LeBron is 29, not 24 anymore. We are in go mode.