The Cavaliers were quiet at the trade deadline but have made two significant moves since adding recently waived veterans Andrew Bogut and Deron Williams. Chris Mannix and Bobby Marks of The Vertical discussed the signings in a recent video.
Not only do the March moves shed light on why the club didn’t make a drastic move at the trade deadline — they also tie into the previously reported LeBron James “playmaker” demands. The Cavs knew that they had March 1 in their back pocket all along. While they may not have known specifically that Bogut or Williams would fall to them, it would have been reasonable for general manager David Griffin to assume that the reigning champions would at least be on the short list of any new veteran free agent hoping for a playoff run.
Limited tradeable assets and draft picks gave the Cavaliers little other choice, Marks argues, but they can rest assured that they’ve bolstered their lineup with some solid depth. Mannix mentions Williams’ possible impact in particular. The Cavs have been without a veteran backup at the point guard position since Matthew Dellavedova signed with the Bucks and Mo Williams abruptly retired.
“The gap between the Cavaliers and everybody else in the Eastern Conference just got a little bit wider,” Mannix says.
There’s more from Cleveland:
- Once again, LeBron James is making a case to win the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, writes ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. Veteran forward James Jones spoke about James’ bid for yet another award and why his case sometimes gets overlooked. “Sometimes they get bored with what they know is coming, even if that’s still the best option out there.”
- Agents have substantial influence on the waiver wire, writes Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com. Vardon suggests that NBA front offices would be wise to heed an agent’s request to not put in a bid for a veteran player going through the waiver processes, lest they want to damage their chances of doing business with the agency in the future.
- Veteran Kyle Korver spoke about his recent return to Atlanta and Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal published video of the conversation. “It felt like I was on a really long road trip and I came back,” he said. The forward speaks fondly of his time with the Hawks but is grateful for his opportunity in Cleveland.
MVP: Currently have Westbrook, and will likely hold that if OKC stays in the 6th seed or higher, and he continues what he has done. 2nd: Kawhi Leonard 3rd: LeBron James 4th: Kevin Durant 5th: Kyle Lowry 6th: Isaiah Thomas 7th: James Harden
Obviously, KD and Lowry are now injured, so they’ll be off that list. Probably have to look at John Wall there. And if GS stays in the 1 seed, probably Steph Curry as well. Also, if the Heat make the 6th seed, Goran Dragic likely should be at the end of that…so,
Westbrook, Kawhi, LeBron, Isaiah, Harden, Wall, Dragic
Thomas and Lowry ahead of Harden? It’s between harden and Westbrook with a dark house of kwahi
Kyle lowry leads all guards in real plus minus and l believe he also leads in true shooting. Personally don’t think toronto is anywhere close to where they were without him. Isaiah gets hidden on defense, similarly to how Harden does with Houston, but Harden also has many more offensive weapons. IT has also been unconscionable in the 4th quarter this year, elevating his team to the 2 seed. Therefore, I have him slightly in front of Harden. I originally had Harden over him around the mid season mark
Lol James Harden 2nd all day
Kawhi Leonard is the Spurs. Without him, they either barely make the playoffs, or are on the outside looking in/rebuilding. He is almost averaging 50-40-90, and has taken over a lot of 4th quarters throughout the season, leading to wins. He’s also obviously one of the best defenders in the league…honestly, if westbrook and okc finish 7th or lower, I have Kawhi at MVP this year
You’ve got no idea do you? Harden is a front runner…
If anything, Harden should be the MVP. With Houston doing so well out West, that should be the big factor. If Houston gets into second, it could be a runaway.
Westbrook is just padding his numbers too much. And it’s not working cos The thunder are still 6th… it’s not good enough and he needs to change his approach but he is just worrying about his numbers like how he did in the all star game… so he is not valid in my books.
Okc is something like 25-6 in games he has a triple double…he is stat chasing, but they’re winning those games, and until the trade they made, he didn’t have much spacing on the floor,making it more impressive. If he stays in the 6 spot or higher in the west, I have to give him MVP if he finishes the season like this
Westbrook gets exceptional game stats whether OKC wins or loses. That’s where he loses put to James Harden in my book. Houston wins because of what Harden does for his team. That’s why Harden is the MVP.
Hang on – they both perform in wins, but Westbrook loses out because he performs in losses too? Genius logic
Honestly I think it should be Russ because he has very little to work with. 2nd worst 3 point shooting team in the association. Poor bench, basically when Roberson is on the floor it’s a 5 on 4 when OKC is playing offense. Russ has willed them to a winning record in spite all of this. Does he shoot too much? Sure but when you have no shooters and a bunch of meh’s on your team…who else is gonna put the ball in the basket? Harden has way more to work with in terms of offensive talent. James is balling this year but Russ has been the heart and soul of his team while James has Gordon and few others having tremendous historic shooting seasons.
Lebron is the MVP. He’s been the MVP for the last decade but we keep finding reasons to give it to someone else.
He’s 1000% the best player in the world by far, but that isn’t what this award is. I agree he should normally win 8t this year. His numbers are ridiculous, and he’s coasting. That team is terrible without him on the floor. Still I think what Westbrook and Kawhi are doing with so much less is slightly more valuable this year, which is why I have LeBron 3rd this year, as of now
If MJ or Shaq didn’t get MVPs every year then Neither should LeBron. I agree he is the best player on the planet BY FAR, but he has that MJ thing going against him.
I 100% agree with the fact LeBron is the best player in the world. But it’s a season by season performance award for the MVP. Atleast that’s how it’s voted on. Westbrook and Harden r having better individual seasons then LeBron. Granted LeBron makes the best basketball play in every situation that goes unnoticed. Once the people who vote on MVP start taking those things into account then it will continue to be a who had the best stats award. With in that case it will go to Westbrook or Harden.