We're probably coming late to this party, but the New York Daily News' Mitch Lawrence is reporting that the Cavaliers will not offer Kyrie Irving a max contract during the off-season.
Lawrence cites locker room problems as the team's chief concern with the Duke point guard.
This could mean that Irving is going to be dealt sooner rather than later.
Lawrence cites locker room problems as the team's chief concern with the Duke point guard.
This could mean that Irving is going to be dealt sooner rather than later.
Irving had something of a down year this past season. His point total (20.8) was down from the previous year (22.5) and his field goal percentage (.430) was the lowest of his young career.
That said, he was still an All-Star (and All-Star game MVP at that) and it's a little surprising to see the Cavs consider shopping him so early. Given that they just secured the number one overall pick, is it possible that they now see a chance to completely rebuild the team, outside of Irving's shadow?
It's possible. If Griffin and Gilbert are sold on one of the "Big Three" prospects (Embiid, Parker, Wiggins) then they may see reconstruction as a viable and preferabble alternative. Irving may also become the centerpiece of a Kevin Love trade, allowing the Cavs to keep the number one overall and dump Irving. But this is all conjecture.
For many (including me), imagining the Cavs returning with the same roster plus the number overall pick was tantalizing. The team fumbled their way through most of the year, only becoming a somewhat cogent unit in (almost) garbage time. Returning with a possible premier talent at one of the team's deficient positions (either Center or Small Forward) was a meaty notion. That notion may now be torn asunder.
Cavs management will almost certainly deny the rumor. That's their job. The proof will be in the pudding. If I was going to move Irving, for Love or picks, I'd want to do it before the draft---giving my team a new energy moving into the season and the fanbase as much time to adjust as possible.
Let's see what happens.
That said, he was still an All-Star (and All-Star game MVP at that) and it's a little surprising to see the Cavs consider shopping him so early. Given that they just secured the number one overall pick, is it possible that they now see a chance to completely rebuild the team, outside of Irving's shadow?
It's possible. If Griffin and Gilbert are sold on one of the "Big Three" prospects (Embiid, Parker, Wiggins) then they may see reconstruction as a viable and preferabble alternative. Irving may also become the centerpiece of a Kevin Love trade, allowing the Cavs to keep the number one overall and dump Irving. But this is all conjecture.
For many (including me), imagining the Cavs returning with the same roster plus the number overall pick was tantalizing. The team fumbled their way through most of the year, only becoming a somewhat cogent unit in (almost) garbage time. Returning with a possible premier talent at one of the team's deficient positions (either Center or Small Forward) was a meaty notion. That notion may now be torn asunder.
Cavs management will almost certainly deny the rumor. That's their job. The proof will be in the pudding. If I was going to move Irving, for Love or picks, I'd want to do it before the draft---giving my team a new energy moving into the season and the fanbase as much time to adjust as possible.
Let's see what happens.