Wade plays off the ball just fine. He's the best out of the 3.
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Cavaliers Offseason Thread
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Wade plays off the ball just fine. He's the best out of the 3.
Miami tried a Wade maintenance program his last year in Miami and it didn't make a bit of difference.
By June he was worn out when the team needed him most and they got smoked by the Spurs.
He'd be 34 years old by the next playoffs, and there is just no chance his body holds up playing every other day for 6 weeks.
Rainman
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Imo I think Wade is just pulling Pat Riley's strings. Pushing Cleveland on him forces Riley to overpay Wade, especially since Wade has taken pay cuts prior years. He's won't be here next year. Pretty sure we will see the same lineup as last year with a few additional veterans like Mo Williams.
kovanovich
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Most advanced stats say Gay had a career year last year.
So don't blame team dysfunction for his performance.
Boom Outta Here
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View: https://mobile.twitter.com/ChrisBHaynes/status/614841709915025408
From DraftExpress:
"While much of the attention for Duke's national title run deservedly went to the freshmen Okafor, Winslow and Tyus Jones, Cook's role shouldn't be understated. He shot 40% from the 3-point line, made 90% of his free throws, played competitive defense every minute he was on the floor, and absolutely never turned the ball over (8.8% TO%, #1 among DX-100 PGs).
NBA teams have quietly been talking about his potential as a role player off the bench thanks to his ability to organize, make open shots, compete on defense, and bring superb character to their organization every day thanks to his very strong intangibles. Even if he doesn't get drafted, he'll have a very good chance to make a roster and play a similar role to that of Patrick Mills or Matthew Dellavedova if he can find a way to carve out a niche."
From DraftExpress:
"While much of the attention for Duke's national title run deservedly went to the freshmen Okafor, Winslow and Tyus Jones, Cook's role shouldn't be understated. He shot 40% from the 3-point line, made 90% of his free throws, played competitive defense every minute he was on the floor, and absolutely never turned the ball over (8.8% TO%, #1 among DX-100 PGs).
NBA teams have quietly been talking about his potential as a role player off the bench thanks to his ability to organize, make open shots, compete on defense, and bring superb character to their organization every day thanks to his very strong intangibles. Even if he doesn't get drafted, he'll have a very good chance to make a roster and play a similar role to that of Patrick Mills or Matthew Dellavedova if he can find a way to carve out a niche."
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The Red Viper
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So, he is half-Ky (Duke) and half-Delly (Undrafted)?
That is a pretty good combo to have.
That is a pretty good combo to have.
ShawnKempIsMyDad
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I thought Cook was picked up by the Thunder?
Boom Outta Here
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Cook is playing for OKC in the Orlando Summer League and with the Cavs in Vegas.
Boom Outta Here
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Otsego Mar
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4 way between Cavs/Lakers/Spurs/Kings involving Young Gay Cousins.....go!
Bob_The_Cat
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When I refer to taking Kyrie off the ball some, it doesn't mean you have to take away his ball handling ability. In fact, it can make it that much more dangerous. Obviously this involves the development of an offensive system, but consider the following:
Wade on the wing with the ball. Kyrie comes off a double down screen to the top of the key (LeBron and Love setting the screens). Love fades to the corner, LeBron dives to the basket (or vice versa). Kyrie now catches the ball on the move and can either go to the hoop, pull up to shoot, find Love or LeBron on a switch, or find Wade cutting behind him.
The chaos those four could cause in anything resembling an offensive system would be absurd. How do you defend something of that nature? Of course, this involves them all buying in. However unlikely some people think it might be, I think it would happen. I think these four (and this team in general) would realize how special that team could be if they worked it out. We're talking GOAT potential.
Ultimately, I just think Wade is attempting to use the Cavs as leverage. I don't see how there's a negative to getting him if all it takes is Haywood and some filler. Doesn't matter if he has injury concerns or not. I can't see there being any negative impact in the locker room by adding Wade.
spydy13
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Pluto's new article. He strongly suggests that JR will only come back if it's a team friendly deal and if they can't find better options with the Haywood deal, says that TT might get the max offer from us (which I personally think is insane until we see what the market value for him is), and thinks that Love could go either way on the signing a 5 year deal vs. the 1+1 strategy.
http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/index.ssf/2015/06/cleveland_cavaliers_scribbles_24.html#incart_2box
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Scribbles in my Cavaliers notebook the day after NBA Draft 2015 and with free agency coming on July 1:
1. I don't expect J.R. Smith to be back with the Cavs. He turned down his $6.4 million player option, and is looking for a raise with a long-term deal. I doubt the Cavs would want Smith on an extended contract. His emotions are on edge. He was one more flagrant foul away from being suspended in the playoffs. Smith is best on a short-term deal. Smith is an unrestricted free agent.
2. Now that the Cavs will have a huge payroll, they would much prefer to keep Iman Shumpert over Smith. Shumpert is a restricted free agent, meaning the Cavs can match any offer that he receives. They will extend the $3.9 million qualifying offer to the guard and try to work out a long-term deal.
3. Look for the Cavaliers to offer maximum contracts to both Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson. The two deals will be different because they are at different stages of their career. Love can receive a five-year deal in the $100 million range. The Cavs think Love will give it serious consideration. It's possible that Love will sign a "1-and-1" contract. It would pay him the maximum salary in 2015-16, and a one-year player option for 2016-17. An agent wants the player option just in case your client has a horrendous injury in 2015-16, so he can at least pocket a maximum salary for 2016-17.
4. The Cavs believe Love came to a comfort level with the team by the end of the season. He knows that this is his best place to contend for a title. The top contenders in the Western Conference don't have the salary cap room for him. It's only the struggling or lesser teams (the Lakers, Boston, etc) that may be able to find a way to fit Love into their cap.
5. Love is coming off major shoulder surgery. His is expected to fully recover. He has also dealt with some back problems. Love missed seven regular season games in 2014-15. He missed five in 2013-14. He had a broken hand in 2012-13, missing 65 games. Injuries are a concern, but it's not as if he has been Anderson Varejao -- who simply can't stay healthy.
6. The summer of 2016 is the "Money Summer." It's when the salary cap is expected to increase by at least 30 percent. So a maximum contract to Love this summer is considerably less than a maximum deal a year from now. It's why LeBron James started the "1-and-1" deal last summer, and it's why he's expected to sign another contract like that this summer with the Cavs.
7. Thompson's long-term maximum deal would be about $70 million for four years. He is a restricted free agent, meaning the Cavs can match any offer that he receives from another team. Does Thompson play for a "qualifying offer" in the $7 million range and aim to be an unrestricted free agent in 2016 when they big money really flows? That's something his agent Rich Paul (who also represents James) will have to discuss with Thompson. It was Paul and his chief negotiator, Mark Termini, who helped James design the "1-and-1" contract approach last summer.
8. Paul's agency had two picks in the first round: Montrezl Harell (Houston) and Trey Lyles (Utah). The Cavs really like Thompson. As I wrote last November, they offered him slightly more than $50 million for four years. He turned it down. It looks like a very wise right now, especially after Thompson's strong showing in the playoffs. He averaged 13 rebounds a game in the Finals.
9. The Cavs have to trade Brendon Haywood's contract ($10.5 million not guaranteed) before August 2. They can use it to obtain a player who makes nearly $14 million. So that's why the Cavs are willing to let go of Smith. They may be able to find someone better.
10. Thursday's draft was just an appetizer. I wrote about what the Cavs did, and why they did it in another story. The real action starts in July with free agency.
http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/index.ssf/2015/06/cleveland_cavaliers_scribbles_24.html#incart_2box
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Scribbles in my Cavaliers notebook the day after NBA Draft 2015 and with free agency coming on July 1:
1. I don't expect J.R. Smith to be back with the Cavs. He turned down his $6.4 million player option, and is looking for a raise with a long-term deal. I doubt the Cavs would want Smith on an extended contract. His emotions are on edge. He was one more flagrant foul away from being suspended in the playoffs. Smith is best on a short-term deal. Smith is an unrestricted free agent.
2. Now that the Cavs will have a huge payroll, they would much prefer to keep Iman Shumpert over Smith. Shumpert is a restricted free agent, meaning the Cavs can match any offer that he receives. They will extend the $3.9 million qualifying offer to the guard and try to work out a long-term deal.
3. Look for the Cavaliers to offer maximum contracts to both Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson. The two deals will be different because they are at different stages of their career. Love can receive a five-year deal in the $100 million range. The Cavs think Love will give it serious consideration. It's possible that Love will sign a "1-and-1" contract. It would pay him the maximum salary in 2015-16, and a one-year player option for 2016-17. An agent wants the player option just in case your client has a horrendous injury in 2015-16, so he can at least pocket a maximum salary for 2016-17.
4. The Cavs believe Love came to a comfort level with the team by the end of the season. He knows that this is his best place to contend for a title. The top contenders in the Western Conference don't have the salary cap room for him. It's only the struggling or lesser teams (the Lakers, Boston, etc) that may be able to find a way to fit Love into their cap.
5. Love is coming off major shoulder surgery. His is expected to fully recover. He has also dealt with some back problems. Love missed seven regular season games in 2014-15. He missed five in 2013-14. He had a broken hand in 2012-13, missing 65 games. Injuries are a concern, but it's not as if he has been Anderson Varejao -- who simply can't stay healthy.
6. The summer of 2016 is the "Money Summer." It's when the salary cap is expected to increase by at least 30 percent. So a maximum contract to Love this summer is considerably less than a maximum deal a year from now. It's why LeBron James started the "1-and-1" deal last summer, and it's why he's expected to sign another contract like that this summer with the Cavs.
7. Thompson's long-term maximum deal would be about $70 million for four years. He is a restricted free agent, meaning the Cavs can match any offer that he receives from another team. Does Thompson play for a "qualifying offer" in the $7 million range and aim to be an unrestricted free agent in 2016 when they big money really flows? That's something his agent Rich Paul (who also represents James) will have to discuss with Thompson. It was Paul and his chief negotiator, Mark Termini, who helped James design the "1-and-1" contract approach last summer.
8. Paul's agency had two picks in the first round: Montrezl Harell (Houston) and Trey Lyles (Utah). The Cavs really like Thompson. As I wrote last November, they offered him slightly more than $50 million for four years. He turned it down. It looks like a very wise right now, especially after Thompson's strong showing in the playoffs. He averaged 13 rebounds a game in the Finals.
9. The Cavs have to trade Brendon Haywood's contract ($10.5 million not guaranteed) before August 2. They can use it to obtain a player who makes nearly $14 million. So that's why the Cavs are willing to let go of Smith. They may be able to find someone better.
10. Thursday's draft was just an appetizer. I wrote about what the Cavs did, and why they did it in another story. The real action starts in July with free agency.
spydy13
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Pluto's draft recap. Highlights: Cavs had 15 guys they liked with the 24th pick (Delon Wright was one of their favorites). They believe that Pointer was the best wing defender in the draft.
http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/index.ssf/2015/06/cleveland_cavaliers_have_terry_12.html#incart_river
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Understand that the Cavs are playing a much different ballgame. A 30-year-old LeBron James, who just led his team to the NBA Finals, means the Cavs are determined to put together the best roster to win right now.
Seldom does a No. 24 pick fit into that category for a team such as the Cavs.
The real action will come in July with free agency and trades, so stay turned. But the Cavs also did draft.
Here's how to view what happened:
THE LIST, THE SALARY CAP
It's get complicated, but if the Cavs had selected a player at No. 24 -- he would cost them about $7 million next year because of the salary cap and luxury tax penalty.
The Cavs had 15 players on their list whose names they would have called at No. 24. They believed those guys could help significantly next season. They would have paid the $7 million.
Most of the names were those at the top of the draft. But I heard they absolutely loved Delon Wright, the Utah guard who was picked at No. 20 by Toronto. They would have selected him.
My best guess is once Wright was gone, they were sure it was time to trade down.
Minnesota liked Tyus Jones, a local product who had an excellent run in the NCAA tournament as a point guard for Duke.
The Cavs liked Jones, but he was not on the top 15 list.
They had their eye on a Turkish player named Cedi Osman. In fact, they absolutely loved Osman. They wanted a high second round pick to grab Osman.
So they traded the rights to Jones to Minnesota for the 31st and 36th picks in second round, and a 2019 second-round pick.
They did this with Osman in mind.
THE TURKISH FUTURE
Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin is credited with bringing Goran Dragic to Phoenix.
Dragic was drafted by San Antonio in the second round of the 2008 draft, then traded to Phoenix. It took several years for Dragic to develop into a star, but it happened.
Osman is 6-foot-8. At 20, he was the youngest player on the Turkish National Team. Osman's stats are modest -- 6.7 points in 19 minutes a game, shooting 40 percent from the field.
Scouts like him a lot. Draft Express wrote this:
Osman loved to defend. Think of the enthusiasm that Anderson Varejao brings to the game. That's Osman.
"He runs the floor like a man possessed, sprinting the court on any opportunity, and scoring quite a few points both filling the lane from the wing and handling the ball in the open floor. Also a very strong defensive rebounder, he frequently will crash the glass, ignite the break and pass the ball intelligently ahead to a man streaking the court for an easy basket.
"That same aggressiveness translates to half-court settings as well, where Osman operates mostly off the ball. He has long strides and a quick first step as a straight-line driver, attacking closeouts intelligently... His propensity for attacking the rim strong helps him get to the free throw line at a solid rate... He also contributes to his team's ball-movement, making the extra pass unselfishly, and moving (often sprinting) off the ball and into open spaces for easy baskets, finding offense without needing any plays run for him."
Odds are the Cavs won't bring Osman to Cleveland for a few years. His one weakness is his outside shot. When he talked to NBA people, he compared himself to Trevor Arzia. He talked about watching NBA games at 4 a.m., and also taping them to watch on his computer.
In the 2014 FIBA U-20 Euro Championship, Turkey was the winner and Osman scored 20 points and was the MVP player in the tournament. In another year, the Cavs believe Osman would have been among the top 15 players in the 2016 draft.
Osman loved to defend. Think of the enthusiasm that Anderson Varejao brings to the game. That's Osman. So they grabbed him now and will wait for him to develop and physically mature.
HE MAY HELP NOW
The Cavs like Rakeem Christmas as a big man with the defensive and rebounding skills to help the team this upcoming season.
He measured just a shade under 6-foot-10 at the NBA Combine and has a 7-foot-5 wing span. Many scouts wrote him off because he struggled in his first two seasons at Syracuse. The Virgin Islands native is now 23 years old, considered ancient in the draft.
This past season, he was a third-team All-American and first-team All-ACC. Because Syracuse banned itself from the post-season tournament, many fans didn't see Christmas. He began to look like an NBA prospect.
The Cavs see him as an energy big man, a little like Tristan Thompson. He is a better free-throw shooter (71 percent).
His overall stats were strong: 17.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and shot 55 percent from the field.
Teams can never have enough big guys, especially those who can defend.
The adjustment for Christmas will be switching from the 2-3 zone played by Syracuse (where he stood in the middle as a center) to the basic man-to-man in the NBA.
He's the 36th pick. His contract probably won't be guaranteed. His size and willingness to defend the rim make him attractive to the Cavs.
THE LAST PICK
The Cavs picked Sir'Dominic Pointer at No. 53.
Christmas and Pointer have one thing in common -- both were Co-Defensive Player of the Year in their respective conference. For Christmas, it was the ACC. For Pointer, it was the Big East.
The Cavs have Pointer ranked as the top "wing defender" in the draft. He's 6-foot-6, very athletic and averaged 7.7 rebounds, 2.4 blocks. Those are very impressive numbers for a player his size.
But in four years at St. Johns, offense was a major problem. He averaged 13.9 points as a senior, but most came on fast breaks and drives to the rim. He is a very poor outside shooter.
While Christmas has a good chance to make the team, odds are fans of the D-League's Canton Charge will get to see a lot Pointer next season.
http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/index.ssf/2015/06/cleveland_cavaliers_have_terry_12.html#incart_river
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Understand that the Cavs are playing a much different ballgame. A 30-year-old LeBron James, who just led his team to the NBA Finals, means the Cavs are determined to put together the best roster to win right now.
Seldom does a No. 24 pick fit into that category for a team such as the Cavs.
The real action will come in July with free agency and trades, so stay turned. But the Cavs also did draft.
Here's how to view what happened:
THE LIST, THE SALARY CAP
It's get complicated, but if the Cavs had selected a player at No. 24 -- he would cost them about $7 million next year because of the salary cap and luxury tax penalty.
The Cavs had 15 players on their list whose names they would have called at No. 24. They believed those guys could help significantly next season. They would have paid the $7 million.
Most of the names were those at the top of the draft. But I heard they absolutely loved Delon Wright, the Utah guard who was picked at No. 20 by Toronto. They would have selected him.
My best guess is once Wright was gone, they were sure it was time to trade down.
Minnesota liked Tyus Jones, a local product who had an excellent run in the NCAA tournament as a point guard for Duke.
The Cavs liked Jones, but he was not on the top 15 list.
They had their eye on a Turkish player named Cedi Osman. In fact, they absolutely loved Osman. They wanted a high second round pick to grab Osman.
So they traded the rights to Jones to Minnesota for the 31st and 36th picks in second round, and a 2019 second-round pick.
They did this with Osman in mind.
THE TURKISH FUTURE
Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin is credited with bringing Goran Dragic to Phoenix.
Dragic was drafted by San Antonio in the second round of the 2008 draft, then traded to Phoenix. It took several years for Dragic to develop into a star, but it happened.
Osman is 6-foot-8. At 20, he was the youngest player on the Turkish National Team. Osman's stats are modest -- 6.7 points in 19 minutes a game, shooting 40 percent from the field.
Scouts like him a lot. Draft Express wrote this:
Osman loved to defend. Think of the enthusiasm that Anderson Varejao brings to the game. That's Osman.
"He runs the floor like a man possessed, sprinting the court on any opportunity, and scoring quite a few points both filling the lane from the wing and handling the ball in the open floor. Also a very strong defensive rebounder, he frequently will crash the glass, ignite the break and pass the ball intelligently ahead to a man streaking the court for an easy basket.
"That same aggressiveness translates to half-court settings as well, where Osman operates mostly off the ball. He has long strides and a quick first step as a straight-line driver, attacking closeouts intelligently... His propensity for attacking the rim strong helps him get to the free throw line at a solid rate... He also contributes to his team's ball-movement, making the extra pass unselfishly, and moving (often sprinting) off the ball and into open spaces for easy baskets, finding offense without needing any plays run for him."
Odds are the Cavs won't bring Osman to Cleveland for a few years. His one weakness is his outside shot. When he talked to NBA people, he compared himself to Trevor Arzia. He talked about watching NBA games at 4 a.m., and also taping them to watch on his computer.
In the 2014 FIBA U-20 Euro Championship, Turkey was the winner and Osman scored 20 points and was the MVP player in the tournament. In another year, the Cavs believe Osman would have been among the top 15 players in the 2016 draft.
Osman loved to defend. Think of the enthusiasm that Anderson Varejao brings to the game. That's Osman. So they grabbed him now and will wait for him to develop and physically mature.
HE MAY HELP NOW
The Cavs like Rakeem Christmas as a big man with the defensive and rebounding skills to help the team this upcoming season.
He measured just a shade under 6-foot-10 at the NBA Combine and has a 7-foot-5 wing span. Many scouts wrote him off because he struggled in his first two seasons at Syracuse. The Virgin Islands native is now 23 years old, considered ancient in the draft.
This past season, he was a third-team All-American and first-team All-ACC. Because Syracuse banned itself from the post-season tournament, many fans didn't see Christmas. He began to look like an NBA prospect.
The Cavs see him as an energy big man, a little like Tristan Thompson. He is a better free-throw shooter (71 percent).
His overall stats were strong: 17.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and shot 55 percent from the field.
Teams can never have enough big guys, especially those who can defend.
The adjustment for Christmas will be switching from the 2-3 zone played by Syracuse (where he stood in the middle as a center) to the basic man-to-man in the NBA.
He's the 36th pick. His contract probably won't be guaranteed. His size and willingness to defend the rim make him attractive to the Cavs.
THE LAST PICK
The Cavs picked Sir'Dominic Pointer at No. 53.
Christmas and Pointer have one thing in common -- both were Co-Defensive Player of the Year in their respective conference. For Christmas, it was the ACC. For Pointer, it was the Big East.
The Cavs have Pointer ranked as the top "wing defender" in the draft. He's 6-foot-6, very athletic and averaged 7.7 rebounds, 2.4 blocks. Those are very impressive numbers for a player his size.
But in four years at St. Johns, offense was a major problem. He averaged 13.9 points as a senior, but most came on fast breaks and drives to the rim. He is a very poor outside shooter.
While Christmas has a good chance to make the team, odds are fans of the D-League's Canton Charge will get to see a lot Pointer next season.
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