The Cleveland Cavaliers have had quite the traumatic end to a summer that started out with the firing of their general manager David Griffin and looked like it would end with Kyrie Irving forcing the team to trade him. But has the young guard become too volatile to trade? Let us go over the Irving timetable.
In 2014, Irving signed a 5-year, $90 million contract extension after the team took Andrew Wiggins with the No. 1 pick in the draft.
In 2014-15, the Cavaliers secure their first title in franchise history, giving Irving his first ring.
In 2016-17, the Cavs lose to the Warriors again, despite James averaging a triple double for the first time in Finals history.
In the summer of 2017, Irving asks for a trade to leave James’ shadow, get out of the “son” role on the team and have a team built around him so he can be recognized. Later he announces that he will not commit long term to any team this season, despite having a clear list of places he would like to land.
He is putting the Cavaliers in a really difficult position for three reasons outside of losing their All-Star point guard.
- With every comment he makes, it is harder to try and rectify the locker room in the likely event he is not dealt by the beginning of the season. While it seemed unlikely for him to go back, he still has yet to be traded, and talks have seemed to stall out on a few fronts. Now, not only does it seem like Cleveland is in for a world of trouble in their locker room, but other teams may be avoiding what they think could be a bad locker room presence in Irving.
- He is forcing the Cavaliers into a very awkward trade spot, with teams knowing they are trying to get rid of him, while they ask for a large package of assets for the four time All-Star. Teams will continually lowball the Cleveland team that they know wants out of this deal. For a trade to work, the playing field needs to be semi-even to keep one team from getting shellacked, or both teams from walking away. The Cavaliers need to get rid of Irving or face a really terrible season with a player who has been trash talking the team’s star. But because teams know that, they have been unwilling to part with young pieces on their roster. The unfortunate trend, if you are a Cleveland fan, is that teams have been sticking with young potential over established stud. The Celtics seemed interested in Paul George until Jaylen Brown was asked for, the Timberwolves appeared interested in Irving until Wiggins became the center of the trade. Even the Suns pulled back from giving up Devin Booker and Josh Jackson. Potential All-Stars who can sign deals leading up to and through their peak at 25-27 years old are what teams more often than not go for.
- Much like Carmelo Anthony, the two years left on Irving’s contract put him in a less than optimal spot. The two-year contract means that a team would be paying enough, and giving up enough, that they need the player to stay longer and extend his contract. But a player like Anthony or Irving may be weary of where they end up, because going to a place like Oklahoma City or Cleveland means they end up with stars on one-year deals. The contract chicken Irving is playing is to avoid getting stuck as the Russell Westbrook of a team that loses a star. What it means is that the trade the Cavaliers have to find is incredibly difficult.
Looking at the scope of the way teams have played free agency, Irving may have been better off staying in the “shadow” of James for another year to find a team on a one-year rental deal, like George and the Thunder. This would have kept the trade more reasonable and if he stays two years, he enters free agency as a 27-year-old. He also makes the shadow of James seem really bad, and while you must respect his desire to be the No. 1 guy, three of his four All-Star appearances with the King on the roster. Irving has made himself look like a locker room problem, as much as he is a talent. He has killed some of his value through the trade request process he has taken.
Listen to Colton on Locked On Wolves!
