After Irving's Finals, would Doc consider a Chris Paul trade now?

[jpotter33]

So let's say that the Cavs lose tonight. Even after Irving's ridiculous Finals, I think we all still know that he's not a great fit in Cleveland next to Lebron.

Now, Chris Paul is obviously the better player right now, and he's an excellent vet to put next to Lebron who can provide two-way play, shooting, and leadership, all while not necessarily being as ball-dominant and iso-heavy as Kyrie.

If you would've said before the Finals a Kyrie for Paul swap would be fair, you probably would've been laughed off the stage. But Kyrie has shown that he still is an immense talent, but he just has to be in the right situation to be the most productive.

If Cleveland called Doc after losing this series and offered Kyrie for Paul, what does Doc say? Kyrie is much younger and locked up for much longer than Paul, who can opt out next summer. Doc has to be wondering if he'd leave and try to form a different team next summer if they don't make substantial progress next season anyways, so would it make sense for Doc to replace Paul with Kyrie?

That'd be one seriously dangerous Cleveland team with Paul and Lebron. It'd also be interesting to see where the Clippers go from there, because both Griffin and Jordan might be up for a trade then.

[Monkhouse]

My guess is.... The longer Doc waits, the slim the chances are of prying Kyrie Irving or equal to in value in return for Chris Paul lessens every day.

I think Melo, Paul and Lebron could certainly be a possibility.

If Lebron replaced Irving and Love for Melo and Paul, that is definitely a more refined and dominant team.

[jambr380]

At this point, it would be the right move. Paul is the oldest of their core players and is likely to decline in the somewhat near future. Having Irving locked up would alleviate any concerns of having to break up that team. This is probably Doc's last chance, though, so he better get on it this off-season or the Clips will be the ones giving up extra assets to get a deal done (and they don't have a ton of them, at this point).

[manl_lui]

I think both sides might pull the trigger, but CLE might (MIGHT) want to demand more out of Clippers as they probably believe Irving to be the better player being that he is younger than Paul. Idk what both sides will include but Clippers goes younger with Irving and and LeBron gets part one of his wish come true by playing with his buddy

[jpotter33]

I think both sides might pull the trigger, but CLE might (MIGHT) want to demand more out of Clippers as they probably believe Irving to be the better player being that he is younger than Paul. Idk what both sides will include but Clippers goes younger with Irving and and LeBron gets part one of his wish come true by playing with his buddy

Eh, it's hard to make any kind of substantial argument that Irving is better than Paul. I'm not a fan of Paul by any means and like Kyrie much more than him, but Paul is hands down the better player. He was second team All-NBA this season and is a regular All-NBA 1st or 2nd team selection, yet Kyrie has only been selected to the third team once. Paul is also a two-way player that Kyrie is not, so I fail to see any argument other than him being younger and him not hitting his ceiling yet, which is highly questionable at best.

[loco_91]

Interesting idea. This could make sense for both teams.

[manl_lui]

I think both sides might pull the trigger, but CLE might (MIGHT) want to demand more out of Clippers as they probably believe Irving to be the better player being that he is younger than Paul. Idk what both sides will include but Clippers goes younger with Irving and and LeBron gets part one of his wish come true by playing with his buddy

Eh, it's hard to make any kind of substantial argument that Irving is better than Paul. I'm not a fan of Paul by any means and like Kyrie much more than him, but Paul is hands down the better player. He was second team All-NBA this season and is a regular All-NBA 1st or 2nd team selection, yet Kyrie has only been selected to the third team once. Paul is also a two-way player that Kyrie is not, so I fail to see any argument other than him being younger and him not hitting his ceiling yet, which is highly questionable at best.

fair enough, but it would be interesting to see how that would turn out if both teams even remotely thinks about it

[Eja117]

Now that we have Coach Stevens I don't think about what goes through the minds of 2nd rate coaches like Doc.

[jpotter33]

I think both sides might pull the trigger, but CLE might (MIGHT) want to demand more out of Clippers as they probably believe Irving to be the better player being that he is younger than Paul. Idk what both sides will include but Clippers goes younger with Irving and and LeBron gets part one of his wish come true by playing with his buddy

Eh, it's hard to make any kind of substantial argument that Irving is better than Paul. I'm not a fan of Paul by any means and like Kyrie much more than him, but Paul is hands down the better player. He was second team All-NBA this season and is a regular All-NBA 1st or 2nd team selection, yet Kyrie has only been selected to the third team once. Paul is also a two-way player that Kyrie is not, so I fail to see any argument other than him being younger and him not hitting his ceiling yet, which is highly questionable at best.

fair enough, but it would be interesting to see how that would turn out if both teams even remotely thinks about it

I can't imagine a Cleveland team with Paul replacing Irving. Theoretically, that'd be a ridiculously all-around, two-way team.