Cleveland Cavs (2016 NBA Champions)

[stowfan]

I watched Boris Diaw give Lebron James more trouble on defense than any player in the league last year. There are certain SFs that Bennett can be adept at defending because of his size and athleticism. There will be a huge learning curve, but there has to be a way to get him and Tristan in the starting lineup together longterm. And it isn't with Tristan playing center.

I've wondered if in some cases, TT may match up better against some opposing Small Forwards on the defensive end.

 

[stowfan]

When they drafted Karasev, they claimed he could shoot.


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wX8pNcC1eU"]Sergey Karasev - 3-Point Shooting Drill & Shootaround - 2013 Nike Hoop Summit - YouTube[/ame]

 

[stowfan]

Your source for all things Cavs here; Andrew Bynum meeting with Cavs today.

https://twitter.com/SamAmicoFSO

 

[Bucklion]

So, as a casual fan (of Cleveland only, not the NBA) putting this together, right now we have the following (?):

Starters: Irving, Waiters, Clark/Gee, Thompson, Andy

Bench: Jack, Gee/Clark, Bennett, Zeller, Russian dude

Lots of versatility in that 10 (not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing, Eric Wedge and Manny Acta loved versatility too). Bynum would definitely be a high upgrade to the front court. The 3 guard rotation looks great if no one gets hurt. Lots of tweener 3/4/5 players. Andy could still be traded.

That about cover it so far?

 

[bigdog3300]

So, as a casual fan (of Cleveland only, not the NBA) putting this together, right now we have the following (?):

Starters: Irving, Waiters, Clark/Gee, Thompson, Andy

Bench: Jack, Gee/Clark, Bennett, Zeller, Russian dude

Lots of versatility in that 10 (not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing, Eric Wedge and Manny Acta loved versatility too). Bynum would definitely be a high upgrade to the front court. The 3 guard rotation looks great if no one gets hurt. Lots of tweener 3/4/5 players. Andy could still be traded.

That about cover it so far?

Correct, which also means CJ Miles will play less which is always a good thing.

 

[y0yoyoin]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--cavs-make-andrew-bynum--24-million-offer-015715453.html

The Cleveland Cavaliers are pushing for free-agent center Andrew Bynum to accept a two-year, $24 million-plus, incentive-based contract offer, league sources told Yahoo! Sports on Monday night.
The Cavaliers met with Bynum in Cleveland on Monday, but could fast lose patience with waiting on the two-time NBA champion center to make a decision on accepting the offer, which includes a team option in the second year of the deal, sources said. Bynum, 25, left Cleveland to travel to Atlanta to meet with Hawks officials, and Cleveland has begun to engage free agents Andrei Kirilenko and Elton Brand on possible one-year deals that would preclude the Cavaliers from the ability to sign Bynum, league sources said.
Cleveland wants a team option on a second contract year to protect it against losing Bynum to 2014 free agency should his damaged knees heal enough to allow him to make a resurgence this season. The incentives of a possible Bynum contract could include minimal hurdles of completing training camp and reaching minutes and games-played plateaus in the regular season, league sources said.
Bynum's camp has been shopping for one-year, high-money deals that would allow him to hit the market again next year, sources said.
For the Cavaliers, the possibility of a Bynum reclamation project taking shape in Cleveland, coupled with All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving, could be the cornerstones of a recruiting pitch to bring back LeBron James in the summer of 2014.
Bynum missed the entire 2012-13 season with the Philadelphia 76ers, after chronic knees problems ultimately required surgery. Every team with an interest in Bynum is reluctant to commit significant guaranteed money ? never mind long-term years ? on a player whom even the most generous of medical opinions consider anything but a significant risk to miss more games this season and beyond.
Bynum had his best NBA season in 2011-12 with the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds. He was sent to the 76ers as part of the four-team deal that delivered Dwight Howard to the Lakers. Knee injuries have plagued him throughout much of his eight-year NBA career.

Im not sure what Grant is really thinking here...Bynum obviously has immense potential when healthy and is one of the best centers in the league...BUT, he would be playing in Cleveland...and we all know how it goes when you get a player that is injury prone that plays for any cleveland team...he is also an asshole...that much cannot be debated...what happens when things start going downhill and bynum could care less about playing out the rest of the season? i just see disaster all over this if he comes here...and i cant imagine LeButthole is dying to play with Bynum...give me AK47 or Brandt...way way less talent but less of a headache and a cancer to the locker room

 

[BUCK3YE5]

Hell yes. It would be silly for Bynum to turn us down. If he's healthy...wow we could be seriously good next season.

He should be motivated--he'll be playing for a very big payday in 2014 or 2015.

 

[Tanner]

I'm a Warriors fan. You guys are going to really like Jack. He's a great clubhouse guy and he can play. Great insurance policy for Kyrie. He does dribble, dribble into a lot of long 2 point jump shots, though, which can be frustrating to watch, and last year he shot a career high % on them, so hopefully his % on them doesn't revert too much this year.

I'm not that excited about getting Speights. Am I wrong on that?

 

[exhawg]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--cavs-make-andrew-bynum--24-million-offer-015715453.html



Im not sure what Grant is really thinking here...Bynum obviously has immense potential when healthy and is one of the best centers in the league...BUT, he would be playing in Cleveland...and we all know how it goes when you get a player that is injury prone that plays for any cleveland team...he is also an asshole...that much cannot be debated...what happens when things start going downhill and bynum could care less about playing out the rest of the season? i just see disaster all over this if he comes here...and i cant imagine LeButthole is dying to play with Bynum...give me AK47 or Brandt...way way less talent but less of a headache and a cancer to the locker room

I don't have a problem with it. If Bynum is a cancer you cut him and are only out this years salary, which doesn't matter since they are under the cap and will have max deal money next summer. If he plays well you keep him for the second year and try to work out a long term extension. Bynum will have to play well for a year or two if he wants a big contract. The question is would he rather sign a 3-4 year deal with Dallas for 8 mil a year or a one year 12 mil contract with the Cavs. If he gets healthy he will make a lot more money over the next 3-4 years taking the Cavs deal. If he doesn't think he'll get healthy he would be better off getting a few years guaranteed at 8 mil a year.

If they do bring in a max deal FA next summer they will have to cut or trade Bynum anyway to fit under the cap.

I think a lineup of Irving, Waiters, Clark/Gee/Karasev, Thompson/Bennett, Bynum with Jack, Clark/Gee/Karasev, Thompson/Bennett, Andy, and Zeller as the 3rd big would be pretty great. I really want them to keep Andy down at 20-25 minutes a game to see if he can stay healthy.

When are they going to cut Miles?

 

[tsteele316]

I don't have a problem with it. If Bynum is a cancer you cut him and are only out this years salary, which doesn't matter since they are under the cap and will have max deal money next summer. If he plays well you keep him for the second year and try to work out a long term extension. Bynum will have to play well for a year or two if he wants a big contract. The question is would he rather sign a 3-4 year deal with Dallas for 8 mil a year or a one year 12 mil contract with the Cavs. If he gets healthy he will make a lot more money over the next 3-4 years taking the Cavs deal. If he doesn't think he'll get healthy he would be better off getting a few years guaranteed at 8 mil a year.

If they do bring in a max deal FA next summer they will have to cut or trade Bynum anyway to fit under the cap.

I think a lineup of Irving, Waiters, Clark/Gee/Karasev, Thompson/Bennett, Bynum with Jack, Clark/Gee/Karasev, Thompson/Bennett, Andy, and Zeller as the 3rd big would be pretty great. I really want them to keep Andy down at 20-25 minutes a game to see if he can stay healthy.

When are they going to cut Miles?

they can still get close to another max deal next summer with bynum on the roster, if they are only paying him like $12 million. if they can't trade him, they can decline or waive AV and save about $6 million and jettison Gee for another close to $4 million. from there, it may take some creativity to shave another $3-$4 million in salary.

 

[exhawg]

I'm a Warriors fan. You guys are going to really like Jack. He's a great clubhouse guy and he can play. Great insurance policy for Kyrie. He does dribble, dribble into a lot of long 2 point jump shots, though, which can be frustrating to watch, and last year he shot a career high % on them, so hopefully his % on them doesn't revert too much this year.

I'm not that excited about getting Speights. Am I wrong on that?

I don't watch too much NBA outside of the Cavs. Do the Warriors play defense? If not you'll be good with Speights. :p

 

[Piney]

I don't have a problem with it. If Bynum is a cancer you cut him and are only out this years salary, which doesn't matter since they are under the cap and will have max deal money next summer. If he plays well you keep him for the second year and try to work out a long term extension. Bynum will have to play well for a year or two if he wants a big contract. The question is would he rather sign a 3-4 year deal with Dallas for 8 mil a year or a one year 12 mil contract with the Cavs. If he gets healthy he will make a lot more money over the next 3-4 years taking the Cavs deal. If he doesn't think he'll get healthy he would be better off getting a few years guaranteed at 8 mil a year.

If they do bring in a max deal FA next summer they will have to cut or trade Bynum anyway to fit under the cap.

I think a lineup of Irving, Waiters, Clark/Gee/Karasev, Thompson/Bennett, Bynum with Jack, Clark/Gee/Karasev, Thompson/Bennett, Andy, and Zeller as the 3rd big would be pretty great. I really want them to keep Andy down at 20-25 minutes a game to see if he can stay healthy.

When are they going to cut Miles?

Yes every day on taking Bynum on a friendly contract. There is no down side. He sucks/injured and you don't pick up the 2nd year and you got cap space. Also a reminder there is a salary floor, so the Cavs need to use up another 8-10 million, so might as well use it on a boom/bust player like Bynnum.

Now for the positives... The Cavs have tons of options. If Bynum plays injury free and puts up 18/10 type numbers then the Cavs are a playoff team no doubt (if Kyrie doesnt get hurt). But it gives them options... ie what if Kyrie & Andy gets hurt and the Cavs aren't a playoff team but Bynum is producing. You don't think there would be a trade market for him? Dang... talk about an asset.

But hopefully he will play well and some dynamic chemistry happens with him and Kyrie... we could be a 4/5 seed in the East if all goes well. Then come 2014 free agent time it will be interesting if they pick up his 2nd year option if enough cap space can be cleared to make a run for some big named free agents. You would think a Kyrie/Bynum core would be very compelling for a certain player to come back...

 

[exhawg]

they can still get close to another max deal next summer with bynum on the roster, if they are only paying him like $12 million. if they can't trade him, they can decline or waive AV and save about $6 million and jettison Gee for another close to $4 million. from there, it may take some creativity to shave another $3-$4 million in salary.

The problem would be that you have to start resigning guys like Irving, Thompson, and Waiters who will take a bigger chunk of the cap. It isn't a big deal if Bynum is a 2 year experiment, but you can't add 2 max deals to the Cavs and hope to resign all the high draft picks that they've made over the past few years.

I think teams will do everything they can to stay under the cap 1 out of 4 years so they don't trigger the repeat offender multiplier so the Cavs could go over the cap in 2014-2016, but would have to get under it for 2017. In the new CBA teams will be limited to 2 max deals and role players or 1 max deal, a few larger contracts, and role players.

 

[tsteele316]

The problem would be that you have to start resigning guys like Irving, Thompson, and Waiters who will take a bigger chunk of the cap. It isn't a big deal if Bynum is a 2 year experiment, but you can't add 2 max deals to the Cavs and hope to resign all the high draft picks that they've made over the past few years.

I think teams will do everything they can to stay under the cap 1 out of 4 years so they don't trigger the repeat offender multiplier so the Cavs could go over the cap in 2014-2016, but would have to get under it for 2017. In the new CBA teams will be limited to 2 max deals and role players or 1 max deal, a few larger contracts, and role players.

the cavs still have 2 seasons before irving and thompson get qualifying offers. so, they could in reality not have to extend either of them for 3 years. at that point they can get rid of jack to save money and if they give anything to bynum that far out it will certainly have options in there to protect them. the cavs have still given themselves plenty of roster flexibility, and dan gilbert has never been opposed to shelling out cash.

 

[AKAK]

they can still get close to another max deal next summer with bynum on the roster, if they are only paying him like $12 million. if they can't trade him, they can decline or waive AV and save about $6 million and jettison Gee for another close to $4 million. from there, it may take some creativity to shave another $3-$4 million in salary.

Yes, lets be clear on that fact that we still have guys on this roster that suck to get rid of.