Apologies for the delay, and for creating a new thread on the subject (I figured, in doing so, all the criticism and/or vitriol from what I am about to post could be directed where it belongs -- at me), my Buckeye Brothers... following are some things that happened behind the scenes leading up to the roster makeover the Cavaliers did Thursday and what may take place going forward...
--- SPOILER ALERT: TL/DR version --- Front office had a slam-dunk trade deadline, despite very trying circumstances (and sincere apologies for the length of this. I promise, I'll crawl back under my rock after I finish this).
* First, to be clear, Dan Gilbert absolutely did not take part in trade talks with opposing teams. Every single discussion between the Cavaliers and other teams was done by Koby Altman and assistant GM Mike Gansey.
* Gilbert allowed his basketball guys to do their jobs. Meaning, when Altman and Gansey had something going on, they then went to Gilbert to keep him up to speed on every discussion.
* When it came time for the deals to be done, Altman and Gansey, along with the salary-cap guys, went to Gilbert and laid out every aspect of the deals and what it would cost Gilbert if they were made.
* My guy said Gilbert's response was quick and succinct: "Do it!" Mind you, he will now pay more than $50 million in luxury-tax penalties alone.
* Don't believe the smokescreen that LeBron was not kept abreast of what was happening. In fact, I'm told, when informed of the potential moves, James was "ecstatic." I'm also told the reason James looked like the guy we saw in November and December when he was Eastern Conference Player of the Month in both months against the Timberwolves on Wednesday night was because he knew what was about to happen the following day.
* That having been said, LeBron was not asked for his approval on anything. He was simply kept "up to speed" on what was being discussed. In other words, he was given the respect a player the magnitude such as himself deserves... and what any management team worth its salt would do for such a once-in-a-lifetime talent as James.
* What David Griffin said earlier in the week about LeBron not wanting to be "consulted" about personnel moves was 100 percent accurate. All he wants to know is what's going on. All the rhetoric about being "just a player" is a big smokescreen. James doesn't make decisions, but he is aware of them.
* LeBron had complete faith in Griffin and him and Gilbert not being able to agree to terms on a contract extension did bother him a great deal.
* However, one of the things Griffin did before he left the building was let LeBron know the reason the deal that would have brought Paul George and Eric Bledsoe to Cleveland didn't happen was not any fault of the Cavaliers. The deal was done. Gilbert and Paul George even talked about a possible longterm extension. It was the Pacers who killed the deal at the 11th hour.
* The player who was texting Jimmy Butler to not come to Cleveland was Kyrie Irving. Not that that should surprise anyone, but it was definitely him.
* As far as Irving goes, don't buy his new image that's being portrayed in Boston. Right now, everything is grand -- he's The Man, his team is winning and, even more importantly, the Cavaliers have been struggling, as we all know all too well.
* Irving did indeed threaten to have knee surgery if the Cavaliers didn't honor his request to be traded. He didn't do so directly, of course, but his "team" did indeed make sure it was a known possibility.
* OK, as for some specific trade talk... the Clippers were dangling DeAndre Jordan and were willing to move him to Cleveland, but only if the Cavaliers were to cough up the Brooklyn pick. Try as they might, the Cavaliers could not get them to come off that demand, though they made several attempts. Conversely, the Clippers believed the Cavs would cave and include the Brooklyn pick for Jordan, but they were incorrect. In fact, they ended up being stuck not moving Jordan, who will be an unrestricted free agent after this season, because they felt all along Cleveland would agree to their terms. Now, LA is faced with losing Jordan and getting nothing in return. Also, the Cavaliers, their recent struggles not withstanding, had great concerns how much Jordan could actually play in a Finals matchup with Golden State and aside from rebounding, all of his defensive metrics are down from last season.
* That sent Altman and Gansey to the Lakers. Altman and Lakers GM Rob Pelinka talked until almost 3 a.m. Thursday and had an outline of the deal that eventually went down. LA wanted Thomas (more on him in a bit) and Frye because of their expiring contracts, but would not make the deal without the Cavaliers surrendering their own 2018 first-round draft pick. The Cavaliers were willing to do so because they believe where they wind up this season will make that pick be near the end of the first round.
* Regarding the Lakers. The Cavs' front office was not concerned they were "helping the Lakers" by paving the path of clearing enough cap space to add two major free agents next summer, say LeBron and George. The Lakers were going to clear that space, no matter what, so the Cavs' front office is someone was going to benefit, it might as well be the Cavaliers. And, don't look for LeBron as a Laker. Think he wants to fight Golden State and/or Houston just to reach the Finals? Think he wants to put up with that douche canoe, LaVar Ball?
* Larry Nance Jr. is an absolute perfect fit for Cleveland. His ability to guard 3s, 4s and 5s, along with the ability to switch and recover and to also blitz on pick-and-rolls is a huge asset. Offensively, he is a tremendous, physical screener. Something to watch, starting with today in Boston, is Nance setting a screen, rolling strong to the rack and either catching a lob or setting a pindown for a guy such as Rodney Hood (more on him a bit later, too). The son of Cavs legend Larry Nance, Nance Jr. is a culture guy. In other words, he's someone who instantly lights up the locker room, doesn't care in the least about statistics and will do anything and everything -- always, without exception -- for the benefit of the team. Of the six guys the team sent out, how many could have the same said about them? One... Channing Frye.
* Clarkson has the potential to have the same impact J.R. Smith had on the Cavaliers when he came with Iman Shumpert from New York in 2015. It's forgotten my many that Smith was a throw-in, a guy the Knicks actually demanded the Cavaliers to take off their hands if they wanted Shumpert. It's akin to what the Lakers did in this deal -- they wanted out from under Clarkson's contract and wanted (not demanded, as was the case with J.R. and the Knicks) him gone.
* Clarkson is a two-way player. He's scored the second-most points off the bench in the league this season (behind only Lou Williams), can play both backcourt positions and is more of a scorer than he is a shooter, if that makes any sense. Defensively, he is certainly athletic enough to be much better than he has shown in LA, but the Cavaliers believe he will be like J.R. was when he came aboard. The Lakers are a Dumpster fire, defensively. Defense is only the time wasted in between shots. That's part of the reason Clarkson's scored as well as he has (14 a game this season), but the Cavaliers believe that's also the reason his defensive metrics are what they are.
* There were talks between Cleveland and Charlotte in regards to Kemba Walker. However, the Hornets would not move him unless one of their terrible contracts -- namely, Nic Batum or Dwight Howard -- were included AND, they also wanted either Kevin Love or the Brooklyn pick. There wasn't much traction made. With their shortage of bigs, the Cavaliers could not move Love, not that they were/are looking to, anyway.
* George Hill is a guy the Cavaliers have had on their radar ever since LeBron came back in the summer of 2014. He always gave them fits during his days in Indiana and James has tremendous respect for him, having squared off against him three times in the playoffs when James was in Miami.
* Hill is just the kind of point guard Cleveland needs. He is a smart, experienced and battle-tested, a guy who is a willing passer and has been absolutely on fire from beyond the arc this season, shooting better than 45 percent. Meaning, he has the ability to play off the ball, something almost every guard who plays with James, who handles the basketball so much, must be able to do for the team to be successful. Hill's defensive numbers aren't what they have been in recent years, but Cleveland believes that stems from playing on a going-nowhere team such as Sacramento and having been put behind rookie De'Aaron Fox at point guard last month. He cut his teeth in the league as a hard-nosed, physical backcourt defender and the Cavs believe playing for what they are playing for will bring that to the fore again.
* Rodney Hood was the first guy I mentioned here (as told by My Guy) a few weeks ago. As I stated then, Utah actually called the Cavs and asked if they'd be interested in him as part of a deal. At that time, the Cavs had not yet completely fell apart and the front office wanted to see how things would play out with Thomas. Obviously, that didn't go as planned, so the Cavs called back and got the ball moving, so to speak.
* Hood is the kind of guy who thrives as a complementary-type player. He was having a fine season in Utah (almost 17 a game) as the team's second-leading scorer, but he is best cast as a third-option type of guy. Playing with LeBron and, eventually, Kevin Love, that's exactly the role he will fill. He's 6-8, left-handed and with a diversified offensive game. He is tremendous coming off screens (think Nance and Tristan Thompson) and can shoot from anywhere on the floor. As is the case with Hill, the open looks he will get playing with a guy such as LeBron makes the Cavs' front office almost giddy in anticipation.
* The one drawback on Hood is his inability to stay out of the tub. Fair or not, the main reason Utah was willing to move him -- other than the fact he will be a restricted free agent next summer -- was the team's belief he is brittle. Mind you, it's not soft, but more so unlucky. Along those same lines, Hood's unwillingness to play through aches and pains came under question in Utah. Cleveland believes with everything at stake here will be the only real Band-Aid Hood needs.
* Nance Jr., Clarkson and Hood are all 25 years old. Only Hood won't be under contract for next season, and he will be restricted, not unrestricted, meaning the Cavaliers will have the right to match any offer sheet that should come his way. It's believed purse strings across the league will be tightened, aside from for the big-ticket guys such as LeBron (he will be opting out... more on that later), George, Boogie (who will be trying to come back from an Achilles' tendon tear), etc., the market for Hood will not be explosive.
* Hill is 31, but in tremendous shape and possessor of almost a 7-foot wing span, does not overly rely on quickness nor speed to defend and is intelligent. He is under contract for two more seasons after this.
* OK, some stuff on the guys who were shipped out...
* Thomas said and did all the right things with the Cavaliers... until he began to actually play. In fairness, he was not even close to being 100 percent healthy. His frustration with his inability to do what he's accustomed to doing was matched by his teammates. Physically impaired, Thomas became a selfish chucker who couldn't guard his own shadow. That was exacerbated by his willingness to run his mouth about all that was wrong with the Cavaliers. His repeated mentions of how much harder his team played in Boston really pissed off his new teammates. After what the Cavaliers have done to Boston in the playoffs since LeBron came back, Thomas basically cut his own legs from under him. In fairness, the Celtics were tremendous in covering up Thomas' obvious and apparent-to-everyone defensive shortcomings, pun fully intended, and the Cavaliers were not, at all.
* It was indeed Thomas, with an assist from Dwyane Wade (more on him next), who called out and questioned Kevin Love as to why he played only 3 minutes against Oklahoma City, why he went home before game's end and was not at practice the following day at the infamous team meeting two days later. Yet again, Thomas PO'd his teammates by going after Love, a guy who has sacrificed more than any other single player since he agreed to be traded to Cleveland in the summer of 2014. While Love sacrificed personal numbers for the greater good, came up with a huge stop -- twice -- while isolated on Stephen Curry in the final minute of Game 7 of the 2016 Finals and then played out of position at center for most of this season, Thomas did nothing... but talk a good game, because with his physical limitations after the torn labrum in his hip.
* Now, here's the deal with Wade. He, too, was a problem behind the scenes. His insistence on starting after signing with the Cavaliers threw J.R. Smith into the funk we've all seen this season, something he's finally begun to come out of lately. Yes, Wade went to Tyronn Lue after starting the first three games and suggested he come off the bench, but by then, the always-fragile psyche of Smith had been shaken.
* While he was wearing a Cavaliers uniform and playing well in anchoring the second unit, Wade's mind and heart were in Miami. It's come out that LeBron caught Wade checking his phone for updates on Miami games during halftime of Cavaliers' games. It's true. Only the friendship between him and LeBron kept that from coming out earlier.
* While Wade is respected across the league for all his great accomplishments, there are those in the Cleveland locker room who feel he rode the coat tails first of Shaq, then of LeBron, to the rings he won in Miami. Further, he's missed a ton of games because of injury during his career, so the fact he joined Thomas is coming at Love at the aforementioned team meeting did not go over well with the guys who Love has gone to battle with.
* Lue (more on him in a bit) believed Wade was one of the problems behind the scenes, even more so than Thomas, because while Thomas ran his mouth he had no cred with his teammates, Wade's insistence on beginning the season as a starter, his heart not being totally in it as a Cavalier and finally, going after Love, caused more problems than anything Thomas did because Wade is respected. It caused turmoil -- almost on a daily basis -- behind the scenes, while Thomas doing so was pretty much seen across the NBA landscape. This story will likely blow up, and soon.
* The fact Altman sat down with Wade and LeBron and mapped out a potential return to Miami for Wade went over very well with LeBron. It showed him despite circumstances of which he was very aware that had Wade causing problems behind the scenes, that the front office was willing to do a veteran who is headed to the Hall of Fame a solid, and to do so in a respectful manner. It was a case of the front office being bigger men, so to speak, than the player. The way the Cavs were able to pull it off won't be forgotten by James down the line (more on that later, too).
* Shumpert's love of the game has come to be questioned by the Cavaliers. His rep as a tough, physical defender was well-earned and showed up in flashes, but never as frequently as was expected, his limited offensive game and his his inability to stay healthy made him an expensive ($11 million this season, with a player option for the same dollars next season) piece that was no longer necessary.
* Derrick Rose was brought in as a low-risk, inexpensive insurance policy, signing for the NBA minimum. While Wade's buyout with Chicago ($18 million) made the fact he signed a minimum deal to play with his best friend, LeBron, not be a problem, the fact Rose is being paid $11 million after this season by Adidas did the same for him. The difference is, while Wade's heart was never really in it (his immense talents and experience are all that allowed him to play at the level he did), Rose actually tried. Until he was hurt while being hammered on a drive to the hole, he was actually showing flashes of his former self. However, once the ankle went, it never really came back and then bone spurs showed up.
* Him leaving the team for a period of time was a mutual agreement with the team. Rose was disconsolate about yet another injury, while also having grown frustrated by the fact he was no longer getting calls from officials as he did during the days he was an MVP. The Cavaliers, knowing Thomas was not close to being himself, had nothing to lose by allowing Rose to have his space and to contemplate his basketball future. He was basically a sratchoff lottery ticket to the team, by then. An opportunity to contribute should all the stars align, with the odds stacked heavily against that coming to fruition. Having already been waived by Utah, he's expected to sign with either Washington (which is playing without John Wall and will be for several more weeks) or Minnesota, where he would be reunited with the guy coached him during his MVP days in Chicago, Tom Thibideau. Rose is well-liked and respected in the Cleveland locker room, FWIW.
* Speaking of sympathetic guys, Jae Crowder certainly fits that description. He was part of the heart and soul of the Celtics teams that played so well together the past two seasons and was shocked to be traded. He was crushed by the death of his mother and the same day the trade was announced, Aug. 22, and is still not even close to having been able to deal with that. While Wade's heart wasn't in it as a Cavalier, Crowder's couldn't be -- it was broken. Basketball-wise, the impact Brad Stevens had on him cannot be overstated. Stevens is a true basketball savant and his system, one that features movement of the basketball, movement of guys off the ball cutting off screens, etc. fit Crowder's skillset to a T. Quin Snyder runs a very similar system in Utah, so don't be surprised to see an uptick in Crowder's game as he acclimates himself with the Jazz. Crowder is another guy respected and liked in the Cleveland locker room.
* The one guy the Cavaliers really did not want to part with is Channing Frye. His experience, unselfish, self-deprecating nature, coupled with his ability to hit the outside shot at a drop-of-a-hat's notice made him invaluable, on and off the court. When Lue played him more than 11 minutes, the Cavaliers won 85 percent of those games this season. While certainly not a flashy, stats-driven guy, there's a reason why the team played so well when he was given minutes. Actually, there are many reasons, all of which stem from Frye's unselfish, team-oriented nature. Yes, the were brush fires all over the place in the Cavalier locker room, but the only guy -- and I'm told THE only guy -- who stopped them from morphing into a downright volcano, was Frye. He will be missed.
* That having been said, the front office believes the subtraction of Thomas and Wade, along with the disinterested Shumpert, the frustrated Rose and the broken-hearted Crowder, will put all of the aforementioned fires out. The addition of four hungry players, three of whom are 25 years old and the other who is an experienced point guard who doesn't need the ball to play well, will transform the locker room.
* The onus is now on Tyronn Lue. There's no other way to say it. He has to put the pieces together and form this team, which went from an old, slow, agenda-driven bunch to a younger, more-athletic and hungry group in one day, into the dangerous unit that from all appearances, can make another trip to the Finals.
* The front office is not thrilled with Lue's handling of Osman to this point, who has shown given the opportunity, he can provide exactly what the Cavs just acquired by adding Nance, Clarkson and Hood -- youth, aggressiveness, athleticism. He played great in Atlanta on Friday night (his 2-for-7 performance from the free-throw line, not withstanding) and will get another start today in Boston.
* Lue's tendency to rely on veterans much more than he should is one of the reasons the Cavaliers may not be active on the buyout market. The addition of Kendrick Perkins, likely to be announced around the All-Star break, doesn't count. He's being added as a locker room guy, who can be an enforcer and put the hammer down on someone should the need arise, as it did during the Boston series in 2015 when Kelly Olynk tried to rip Kevin Love's arm off and beat him over the head with it. Perkins' addition will still leave the Cavaliers with one open roster spot and they will keep an eye on potential buyout additions (Tyson Chandler, should he be healthy, would be a terrific final piece, IMHO).
* Lue isn't on the hot seat, but as is the case with the players, he is expected to produce. If he doesn't, consider his seat to officially be in flames. What would light that fuse? Anything short of another trip to the Finals or a quick exit in said series.
* Finally, the elephant in the room... LeBron. No, the Cavaliers' front office did not broach the subject of a commitment with him before they made the roster makeover Thursday. Instead, Altman and Gansey, with Gilbert's wholehearted endorsement, went out and went to work to make the team around LeBron better, immediately and going forward, with the potential to bring the entire team back next season, as well.
* LeBron will definitely decline his $35 million player option and become an unrestricted free agent this summer. And the usual dog-and-pony show that came with his first two forays into free agency will most definitely happen for a third time. As is usual, neither James nor his camp has said a word nor given a hint about what he will do. However, go back to LeBron's story in Sports Illustrated by Lee Jenkins. In it, he said he doesn't want to "go through" everything that accompanies free agency ever again. While everyone is entitled to change his mind, those words remain telling.
* James' oldest son, LeBron Jr., will be entering high school next year at his alma mater, St. Vincent-St. Mary's in the gymnasium LeBron paid for to be built, appropriately named LeBron James Gymnasium. If James opts to play anywhere else but Cleveland, he will rarely see his son play live. Don't underestimate the role LeBron's wife, Savannah, played in his decision... sorry, choice... to return home. She all but insisted it happen and LeBron, along with Gilbert, made it happen.
* By doing what they did Thursday, Altman, Gansey and Gilbert put the ball squarely back in LeBron's court. Until the massive makeover, the "LeBron-is-leaving" train had gained much steam and, in fact, had become pretty much the narrative across the NBA landscape. The direction in which the Cavaliers were headed would have made it easy for James to point out Gilbert went back on his word to spend whatever is necessary to win championships, so he was outta here.
* Now, the team that surrounds James is much younger, much more athletic and, yes, much better than the model that did so up until about high noon Thursday. And it should be even better next season. If James were to bolt, he would once again come off as he did with his infamous The Decision back in the summer of 2010. Gilbert has backed up every single thing he promised James before he decided to return.
* Gilbert and Altman, who had pretty much crucified from pillar to post after the failed Irving trade (of which Altman took ownership and responsibility Thursday night), the Celtics' fine play so far this season and the Cavaliers' much-documented struggles since Christmas.
* The fact, though, they were able to combine forces to pull off what they did Thursday is staggering. Point blank -- the Cavaliers possessed two chips in which to play: their own first-round pick in the draft and that of Brooklyn -- and sacrificed only the former, much-less-valuable asset while bringing in four guys who will combine to form a huge upgrade, on the floor and in the locker room. (On a side note, don't put too much into what happens in Boston today, though it will most definitely be on The Four-Letter Network and is brethren, especially if the Celtics prevail. The Cavaliers team we will see today will not come close to being what it will be in 60 days, or so, when the playoffs start. Love will have been back for a couple weeks by then and the new foursome will be fully integrated).
* In closing (and There Was Much Rejoicing, I'm sure), the Brooklyn pick was indeed on the table -- for one, and only one, player -- Anthony Davis. And, yes, the Cavaliers did try, but the Pelicans weren't willing to even consider moving him. Keep an eye, or ear, on this, though, after this season. Whispers are being heard... on this subject, I cannot speak more (not at this time, anyway).
* Anyway, back on point. Much has been said and written about the Brooklyn pick not being as valuable as it was once thought to be. While the Celtics do indeed own the Lakers' first-round pick this year, look at where that would be and where the Cavaliers' Brooklyn pick would be. Short and sweet -- the Brooklyn pick is 1.5 games from being in the No. 1 spot and the Nets are sinking fast, going just 1-9 in their last 10 games. Imagine what the Cavaliers, as currently constructed, will be with one of the top players in an extremely loaded draft added to the mix. Keep in mind, LeBron set a career-high with 19 assists while playing with the likes of Thompson, J.R., Jose Calderon and the rookie, Osman, in the starting lineup Friday night at Atlanta. With that lineup, 19 freakin' dimes, really?!?!? And, if LeBron does jump ship again, the Cavaliers are now at least in position to have bottom out as they did in 2011.
My Buckeye Brothers, again, I apologize for the length of all of this. Hopefully, I didn't disappoint, though, and made good on my promise to pass on what I've been told. Not sure if My Guy (the man who told me a year before LeBron came back that he would be) will be real thrilled with me for sharing as much as I have here, but like the Cavs' front office did with LeBron before making the moves it did Thursday, I did keep him in the loop and much of what I have written here may come out eventually, anyway. If not, at least I can say I left no bullets in the chamber and you know most of what I do...
P.S. Most importantly... GO BUCKEYES!!!
--- SPOILER ALERT: TL/DR version --- Front office had a slam-dunk trade deadline, despite very trying circumstances (and sincere apologies for the length of this. I promise, I'll crawl back under my rock after I finish this).
* First, to be clear, Dan Gilbert absolutely did not take part in trade talks with opposing teams. Every single discussion between the Cavaliers and other teams was done by Koby Altman and assistant GM Mike Gansey.
* Gilbert allowed his basketball guys to do their jobs. Meaning, when Altman and Gansey had something going on, they then went to Gilbert to keep him up to speed on every discussion.
* When it came time for the deals to be done, Altman and Gansey, along with the salary-cap guys, went to Gilbert and laid out every aspect of the deals and what it would cost Gilbert if they were made.
* My guy said Gilbert's response was quick and succinct: "Do it!" Mind you, he will now pay more than $50 million in luxury-tax penalties alone.
* Don't believe the smokescreen that LeBron was not kept abreast of what was happening. In fact, I'm told, when informed of the potential moves, James was "ecstatic." I'm also told the reason James looked like the guy we saw in November and December when he was Eastern Conference Player of the Month in both months against the Timberwolves on Wednesday night was because he knew what was about to happen the following day.
* That having been said, LeBron was not asked for his approval on anything. He was simply kept "up to speed" on what was being discussed. In other words, he was given the respect a player the magnitude such as himself deserves... and what any management team worth its salt would do for such a once-in-a-lifetime talent as James.
* What David Griffin said earlier in the week about LeBron not wanting to be "consulted" about personnel moves was 100 percent accurate. All he wants to know is what's going on. All the rhetoric about being "just a player" is a big smokescreen. James doesn't make decisions, but he is aware of them.
* LeBron had complete faith in Griffin and him and Gilbert not being able to agree to terms on a contract extension did bother him a great deal.
* However, one of the things Griffin did before he left the building was let LeBron know the reason the deal that would have brought Paul George and Eric Bledsoe to Cleveland didn't happen was not any fault of the Cavaliers. The deal was done. Gilbert and Paul George even talked about a possible longterm extension. It was the Pacers who killed the deal at the 11th hour.
* The player who was texting Jimmy Butler to not come to Cleveland was Kyrie Irving. Not that that should surprise anyone, but it was definitely him.
* As far as Irving goes, don't buy his new image that's being portrayed in Boston. Right now, everything is grand -- he's The Man, his team is winning and, even more importantly, the Cavaliers have been struggling, as we all know all too well.
* Irving did indeed threaten to have knee surgery if the Cavaliers didn't honor his request to be traded. He didn't do so directly, of course, but his "team" did indeed make sure it was a known possibility.
* OK, as for some specific trade talk... the Clippers were dangling DeAndre Jordan and were willing to move him to Cleveland, but only if the Cavaliers were to cough up the Brooklyn pick. Try as they might, the Cavaliers could not get them to come off that demand, though they made several attempts. Conversely, the Clippers believed the Cavs would cave and include the Brooklyn pick for Jordan, but they were incorrect. In fact, they ended up being stuck not moving Jordan, who will be an unrestricted free agent after this season, because they felt all along Cleveland would agree to their terms. Now, LA is faced with losing Jordan and getting nothing in return. Also, the Cavaliers, their recent struggles not withstanding, had great concerns how much Jordan could actually play in a Finals matchup with Golden State and aside from rebounding, all of his defensive metrics are down from last season.
* That sent Altman and Gansey to the Lakers. Altman and Lakers GM Rob Pelinka talked until almost 3 a.m. Thursday and had an outline of the deal that eventually went down. LA wanted Thomas (more on him in a bit) and Frye because of their expiring contracts, but would not make the deal without the Cavaliers surrendering their own 2018 first-round draft pick. The Cavaliers were willing to do so because they believe where they wind up this season will make that pick be near the end of the first round.
* Regarding the Lakers. The Cavs' front office was not concerned they were "helping the Lakers" by paving the path of clearing enough cap space to add two major free agents next summer, say LeBron and George. The Lakers were going to clear that space, no matter what, so the Cavs' front office is someone was going to benefit, it might as well be the Cavaliers. And, don't look for LeBron as a Laker. Think he wants to fight Golden State and/or Houston just to reach the Finals? Think he wants to put up with that douche canoe, LaVar Ball?
* Larry Nance Jr. is an absolute perfect fit for Cleveland. His ability to guard 3s, 4s and 5s, along with the ability to switch and recover and to also blitz on pick-and-rolls is a huge asset. Offensively, he is a tremendous, physical screener. Something to watch, starting with today in Boston, is Nance setting a screen, rolling strong to the rack and either catching a lob or setting a pindown for a guy such as Rodney Hood (more on him a bit later, too). The son of Cavs legend Larry Nance, Nance Jr. is a culture guy. In other words, he's someone who instantly lights up the locker room, doesn't care in the least about statistics and will do anything and everything -- always, without exception -- for the benefit of the team. Of the six guys the team sent out, how many could have the same said about them? One... Channing Frye.
* Clarkson has the potential to have the same impact J.R. Smith had on the Cavaliers when he came with Iman Shumpert from New York in 2015. It's forgotten my many that Smith was a throw-in, a guy the Knicks actually demanded the Cavaliers to take off their hands if they wanted Shumpert. It's akin to what the Lakers did in this deal -- they wanted out from under Clarkson's contract and wanted (not demanded, as was the case with J.R. and the Knicks) him gone.
* Clarkson is a two-way player. He's scored the second-most points off the bench in the league this season (behind only Lou Williams), can play both backcourt positions and is more of a scorer than he is a shooter, if that makes any sense. Defensively, he is certainly athletic enough to be much better than he has shown in LA, but the Cavaliers believe he will be like J.R. was when he came aboard. The Lakers are a Dumpster fire, defensively. Defense is only the time wasted in between shots. That's part of the reason Clarkson's scored as well as he has (14 a game this season), but the Cavaliers believe that's also the reason his defensive metrics are what they are.
* There were talks between Cleveland and Charlotte in regards to Kemba Walker. However, the Hornets would not move him unless one of their terrible contracts -- namely, Nic Batum or Dwight Howard -- were included AND, they also wanted either Kevin Love or the Brooklyn pick. There wasn't much traction made. With their shortage of bigs, the Cavaliers could not move Love, not that they were/are looking to, anyway.
* George Hill is a guy the Cavaliers have had on their radar ever since LeBron came back in the summer of 2014. He always gave them fits during his days in Indiana and James has tremendous respect for him, having squared off against him three times in the playoffs when James was in Miami.
* Hill is just the kind of point guard Cleveland needs. He is a smart, experienced and battle-tested, a guy who is a willing passer and has been absolutely on fire from beyond the arc this season, shooting better than 45 percent. Meaning, he has the ability to play off the ball, something almost every guard who plays with James, who handles the basketball so much, must be able to do for the team to be successful. Hill's defensive numbers aren't what they have been in recent years, but Cleveland believes that stems from playing on a going-nowhere team such as Sacramento and having been put behind rookie De'Aaron Fox at point guard last month. He cut his teeth in the league as a hard-nosed, physical backcourt defender and the Cavs believe playing for what they are playing for will bring that to the fore again.
* Rodney Hood was the first guy I mentioned here (as told by My Guy) a few weeks ago. As I stated then, Utah actually called the Cavs and asked if they'd be interested in him as part of a deal. At that time, the Cavs had not yet completely fell apart and the front office wanted to see how things would play out with Thomas. Obviously, that didn't go as planned, so the Cavs called back and got the ball moving, so to speak.
* Hood is the kind of guy who thrives as a complementary-type player. He was having a fine season in Utah (almost 17 a game) as the team's second-leading scorer, but he is best cast as a third-option type of guy. Playing with LeBron and, eventually, Kevin Love, that's exactly the role he will fill. He's 6-8, left-handed and with a diversified offensive game. He is tremendous coming off screens (think Nance and Tristan Thompson) and can shoot from anywhere on the floor. As is the case with Hill, the open looks he will get playing with a guy such as LeBron makes the Cavs' front office almost giddy in anticipation.
* The one drawback on Hood is his inability to stay out of the tub. Fair or not, the main reason Utah was willing to move him -- other than the fact he will be a restricted free agent next summer -- was the team's belief he is brittle. Mind you, it's not soft, but more so unlucky. Along those same lines, Hood's unwillingness to play through aches and pains came under question in Utah. Cleveland believes with everything at stake here will be the only real Band-Aid Hood needs.
* Nance Jr., Clarkson and Hood are all 25 years old. Only Hood won't be under contract for next season, and he will be restricted, not unrestricted, meaning the Cavaliers will have the right to match any offer sheet that should come his way. It's believed purse strings across the league will be tightened, aside from for the big-ticket guys such as LeBron (he will be opting out... more on that later), George, Boogie (who will be trying to come back from an Achilles' tendon tear), etc., the market for Hood will not be explosive.
* Hill is 31, but in tremendous shape and possessor of almost a 7-foot wing span, does not overly rely on quickness nor speed to defend and is intelligent. He is under contract for two more seasons after this.
* OK, some stuff on the guys who were shipped out...
* Thomas said and did all the right things with the Cavaliers... until he began to actually play. In fairness, he was not even close to being 100 percent healthy. His frustration with his inability to do what he's accustomed to doing was matched by his teammates. Physically impaired, Thomas became a selfish chucker who couldn't guard his own shadow. That was exacerbated by his willingness to run his mouth about all that was wrong with the Cavaliers. His repeated mentions of how much harder his team played in Boston really pissed off his new teammates. After what the Cavaliers have done to Boston in the playoffs since LeBron came back, Thomas basically cut his own legs from under him. In fairness, the Celtics were tremendous in covering up Thomas' obvious and apparent-to-everyone defensive shortcomings, pun fully intended, and the Cavaliers were not, at all.
* It was indeed Thomas, with an assist from Dwyane Wade (more on him next), who called out and questioned Kevin Love as to why he played only 3 minutes against Oklahoma City, why he went home before game's end and was not at practice the following day at the infamous team meeting two days later. Yet again, Thomas PO'd his teammates by going after Love, a guy who has sacrificed more than any other single player since he agreed to be traded to Cleveland in the summer of 2014. While Love sacrificed personal numbers for the greater good, came up with a huge stop -- twice -- while isolated on Stephen Curry in the final minute of Game 7 of the 2016 Finals and then played out of position at center for most of this season, Thomas did nothing... but talk a good game, because with his physical limitations after the torn labrum in his hip.
* Now, here's the deal with Wade. He, too, was a problem behind the scenes. His insistence on starting after signing with the Cavaliers threw J.R. Smith into the funk we've all seen this season, something he's finally begun to come out of lately. Yes, Wade went to Tyronn Lue after starting the first three games and suggested he come off the bench, but by then, the always-fragile psyche of Smith had been shaken.
* While he was wearing a Cavaliers uniform and playing well in anchoring the second unit, Wade's mind and heart were in Miami. It's come out that LeBron caught Wade checking his phone for updates on Miami games during halftime of Cavaliers' games. It's true. Only the friendship between him and LeBron kept that from coming out earlier.
* While Wade is respected across the league for all his great accomplishments, there are those in the Cleveland locker room who feel he rode the coat tails first of Shaq, then of LeBron, to the rings he won in Miami. Further, he's missed a ton of games because of injury during his career, so the fact he joined Thomas is coming at Love at the aforementioned team meeting did not go over well with the guys who Love has gone to battle with.
* Lue (more on him in a bit) believed Wade was one of the problems behind the scenes, even more so than Thomas, because while Thomas ran his mouth he had no cred with his teammates, Wade's insistence on beginning the season as a starter, his heart not being totally in it as a Cavalier and finally, going after Love, caused more problems than anything Thomas did because Wade is respected. It caused turmoil -- almost on a daily basis -- behind the scenes, while Thomas doing so was pretty much seen across the NBA landscape. This story will likely blow up, and soon.
* The fact Altman sat down with Wade and LeBron and mapped out a potential return to Miami for Wade went over very well with LeBron. It showed him despite circumstances of which he was very aware that had Wade causing problems behind the scenes, that the front office was willing to do a veteran who is headed to the Hall of Fame a solid, and to do so in a respectful manner. It was a case of the front office being bigger men, so to speak, than the player. The way the Cavs were able to pull it off won't be forgotten by James down the line (more on that later, too).
* Shumpert's love of the game has come to be questioned by the Cavaliers. His rep as a tough, physical defender was well-earned and showed up in flashes, but never as frequently as was expected, his limited offensive game and his his inability to stay healthy made him an expensive ($11 million this season, with a player option for the same dollars next season) piece that was no longer necessary.
* Derrick Rose was brought in as a low-risk, inexpensive insurance policy, signing for the NBA minimum. While Wade's buyout with Chicago ($18 million) made the fact he signed a minimum deal to play with his best friend, LeBron, not be a problem, the fact Rose is being paid $11 million after this season by Adidas did the same for him. The difference is, while Wade's heart was never really in it (his immense talents and experience are all that allowed him to play at the level he did), Rose actually tried. Until he was hurt while being hammered on a drive to the hole, he was actually showing flashes of his former self. However, once the ankle went, it never really came back and then bone spurs showed up.
* Him leaving the team for a period of time was a mutual agreement with the team. Rose was disconsolate about yet another injury, while also having grown frustrated by the fact he was no longer getting calls from officials as he did during the days he was an MVP. The Cavaliers, knowing Thomas was not close to being himself, had nothing to lose by allowing Rose to have his space and to contemplate his basketball future. He was basically a sratchoff lottery ticket to the team, by then. An opportunity to contribute should all the stars align, with the odds stacked heavily against that coming to fruition. Having already been waived by Utah, he's expected to sign with either Washington (which is playing without John Wall and will be for several more weeks) or Minnesota, where he would be reunited with the guy coached him during his MVP days in Chicago, Tom Thibideau. Rose is well-liked and respected in the Cleveland locker room, FWIW.
* Speaking of sympathetic guys, Jae Crowder certainly fits that description. He was part of the heart and soul of the Celtics teams that played so well together the past two seasons and was shocked to be traded. He was crushed by the death of his mother and the same day the trade was announced, Aug. 22, and is still not even close to having been able to deal with that. While Wade's heart wasn't in it as a Cavalier, Crowder's couldn't be -- it was broken. Basketball-wise, the impact Brad Stevens had on him cannot be overstated. Stevens is a true basketball savant and his system, one that features movement of the basketball, movement of guys off the ball cutting off screens, etc. fit Crowder's skillset to a T. Quin Snyder runs a very similar system in Utah, so don't be surprised to see an uptick in Crowder's game as he acclimates himself with the Jazz. Crowder is another guy respected and liked in the Cleveland locker room.
* The one guy the Cavaliers really did not want to part with is Channing Frye. His experience, unselfish, self-deprecating nature, coupled with his ability to hit the outside shot at a drop-of-a-hat's notice made him invaluable, on and off the court. When Lue played him more than 11 minutes, the Cavaliers won 85 percent of those games this season. While certainly not a flashy, stats-driven guy, there's a reason why the team played so well when he was given minutes. Actually, there are many reasons, all of which stem from Frye's unselfish, team-oriented nature. Yes, the were brush fires all over the place in the Cavalier locker room, but the only guy -- and I'm told THE only guy -- who stopped them from morphing into a downright volcano, was Frye. He will be missed.
* That having been said, the front office believes the subtraction of Thomas and Wade, along with the disinterested Shumpert, the frustrated Rose and the broken-hearted Crowder, will put all of the aforementioned fires out. The addition of four hungry players, three of whom are 25 years old and the other who is an experienced point guard who doesn't need the ball to play well, will transform the locker room.
* The onus is now on Tyronn Lue. There's no other way to say it. He has to put the pieces together and form this team, which went from an old, slow, agenda-driven bunch to a younger, more-athletic and hungry group in one day, into the dangerous unit that from all appearances, can make another trip to the Finals.
* The front office is not thrilled with Lue's handling of Osman to this point, who has shown given the opportunity, he can provide exactly what the Cavs just acquired by adding Nance, Clarkson and Hood -- youth, aggressiveness, athleticism. He played great in Atlanta on Friday night (his 2-for-7 performance from the free-throw line, not withstanding) and will get another start today in Boston.
* Lue's tendency to rely on veterans much more than he should is one of the reasons the Cavaliers may not be active on the buyout market. The addition of Kendrick Perkins, likely to be announced around the All-Star break, doesn't count. He's being added as a locker room guy, who can be an enforcer and put the hammer down on someone should the need arise, as it did during the Boston series in 2015 when Kelly Olynk tried to rip Kevin Love's arm off and beat him over the head with it. Perkins' addition will still leave the Cavaliers with one open roster spot and they will keep an eye on potential buyout additions (Tyson Chandler, should he be healthy, would be a terrific final piece, IMHO).
* Lue isn't on the hot seat, but as is the case with the players, he is expected to produce. If he doesn't, consider his seat to officially be in flames. What would light that fuse? Anything short of another trip to the Finals or a quick exit in said series.
* Finally, the elephant in the room... LeBron. No, the Cavaliers' front office did not broach the subject of a commitment with him before they made the roster makeover Thursday. Instead, Altman and Gansey, with Gilbert's wholehearted endorsement, went out and went to work to make the team around LeBron better, immediately and going forward, with the potential to bring the entire team back next season, as well.
* LeBron will definitely decline his $35 million player option and become an unrestricted free agent this summer. And the usual dog-and-pony show that came with his first two forays into free agency will most definitely happen for a third time. As is usual, neither James nor his camp has said a word nor given a hint about what he will do. However, go back to LeBron's story in Sports Illustrated by Lee Jenkins. In it, he said he doesn't want to "go through" everything that accompanies free agency ever again. While everyone is entitled to change his mind, those words remain telling.
* James' oldest son, LeBron Jr., will be entering high school next year at his alma mater, St. Vincent-St. Mary's in the gymnasium LeBron paid for to be built, appropriately named LeBron James Gymnasium. If James opts to play anywhere else but Cleveland, he will rarely see his son play live. Don't underestimate the role LeBron's wife, Savannah, played in his decision... sorry, choice... to return home. She all but insisted it happen and LeBron, along with Gilbert, made it happen.
* By doing what they did Thursday, Altman, Gansey and Gilbert put the ball squarely back in LeBron's court. Until the massive makeover, the "LeBron-is-leaving" train had gained much steam and, in fact, had become pretty much the narrative across the NBA landscape. The direction in which the Cavaliers were headed would have made it easy for James to point out Gilbert went back on his word to spend whatever is necessary to win championships, so he was outta here.
* Now, the team that surrounds James is much younger, much more athletic and, yes, much better than the model that did so up until about high noon Thursday. And it should be even better next season. If James were to bolt, he would once again come off as he did with his infamous The Decision back in the summer of 2010. Gilbert has backed up every single thing he promised James before he decided to return.
* Gilbert and Altman, who had pretty much crucified from pillar to post after the failed Irving trade (of which Altman took ownership and responsibility Thursday night), the Celtics' fine play so far this season and the Cavaliers' much-documented struggles since Christmas.
* The fact, though, they were able to combine forces to pull off what they did Thursday is staggering. Point blank -- the Cavaliers possessed two chips in which to play: their own first-round pick in the draft and that of Brooklyn -- and sacrificed only the former, much-less-valuable asset while bringing in four guys who will combine to form a huge upgrade, on the floor and in the locker room. (On a side note, don't put too much into what happens in Boston today, though it will most definitely be on The Four-Letter Network and is brethren, especially if the Celtics prevail. The Cavaliers team we will see today will not come close to being what it will be in 60 days, or so, when the playoffs start. Love will have been back for a couple weeks by then and the new foursome will be fully integrated).
* In closing (and There Was Much Rejoicing, I'm sure), the Brooklyn pick was indeed on the table -- for one, and only one, player -- Anthony Davis. And, yes, the Cavaliers did try, but the Pelicans weren't willing to even consider moving him. Keep an eye, or ear, on this, though, after this season. Whispers are being heard... on this subject, I cannot speak more (not at this time, anyway).
* Anyway, back on point. Much has been said and written about the Brooklyn pick not being as valuable as it was once thought to be. While the Celtics do indeed own the Lakers' first-round pick this year, look at where that would be and where the Cavaliers' Brooklyn pick would be. Short and sweet -- the Brooklyn pick is 1.5 games from being in the No. 1 spot and the Nets are sinking fast, going just 1-9 in their last 10 games. Imagine what the Cavaliers, as currently constructed, will be with one of the top players in an extremely loaded draft added to the mix. Keep in mind, LeBron set a career-high with 19 assists while playing with the likes of Thompson, J.R., Jose Calderon and the rookie, Osman, in the starting lineup Friday night at Atlanta. With that lineup, 19 freakin' dimes, really?!?!? And, if LeBron does jump ship again, the Cavaliers are now at least in position to have bottom out as they did in 2011.
My Buckeye Brothers, again, I apologize for the length of all of this. Hopefully, I didn't disappoint, though, and made good on my promise to pass on what I've been told. Not sure if My Guy (the man who told me a year before LeBron came back that he would be) will be real thrilled with me for sharing as much as I have here, but like the Cavs' front office did with LeBron before making the moves it did Thursday, I did keep him in the loop and much of what I have written here may come out eventually, anyway. If not, at least I can say I left no bullets in the chamber and you know most of what I do...
P.S. Most importantly... GO BUCKEYES!!!
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