So what does Cleveland do after another eventual loss in the Finals?

[jpotter33]

Honestly, I'm failing to see how they upgrade their roster without significantly changing the roster. I just don't think the threesome of James, Irving, and Love will work as a title contender. Two of your Big Three cannot be God-awful defenders for you to be a title contender. Say what you want about Wade and Bosh, but they were at least two-way players.

I actually think the first move is to try and trade Irving, because he's just not the greatest fit at point guard with Lebron. In fact, Lebron has never really excelled with a really high level, ball-dominant point guard like Irving (recently at least), because Lebron has always been the de facto point forward for his teams.

What makes the most sense is an Irving for Paul trade, though I highly doubt GM Doc goes for that. Would Irving and a future unprotected first round pick for Paul work? Doubtful.

What about going unconventional and trading Irving for Butler? Chicago is wanting a franchise point guard to build around, and Butler shares a lot of similarities with Wade. That's probably a straight-up trade for both teams that makes sense.

What about Love? The popular trade is for Melo, but I think they'd ultimately be worse with Melo than Love. There's also potentially trading Love for someone like Cousins, but I really don't see that working either.

How about a Love and a future first for Griffin trade? Love is locked up long-term, and he actually spreads the floor more for LAC than Griffin. DJ is also the perfect frontcourt pairing with Love due to his athleticism and ability to help cover for Love's deficiencies. For Cleveland, Griffin isn't a perfect fit at 4, but he provides more athleticism and better defense than Love. So how much better would this Cleveland lineup be than their current lineup:

PG: Smith, Delavedova
SG: Butler, Shumpert
SF: James, Jefferson
PF: Griffin, Frye
C: Thompson, Mozgov

That lineup looks pretty weird to me, and I question how well it would work with that much less shooting in the lineup.

It won't be the way they go, but I think they need to get out of the "Big 3" mindset and look for more high-end role players that fit well with their core. If I was Cleveland, I would move James to the 4 and try to trade Love to Boston for Bradley and Crowder, who make much more sense as non-ball-dominant, floor-spreading, two-way defenders than what they currently have. So there lineup would be:

PG: Irving, Dellavedova, Williams
SG: Bradley, Smith
SF: Crowder, Shumpert, Jefferson
PF: Lebron, Frye
C: Thompson, Mozgov

That's the type of lineup that you're going to need to get past the Warriors. You have two guys in Bradley and Crowder who can spend their entire focus and energy on limiting Curry and Thompson, yet they can also hit open shots for you on offense.

Granted, I think Danny would almost say no to that deal right now. Though these guys aren't stars, we forget how valuable these high-end, cost-controlled role players really are for us.

[Who]

I like the Kyrie for Jimmy Butler trade idea. Makes a lot of sense for both teams.

[PhoSita]

The right move would be to hire a real GM and stop having LeBron dictate the roster construction so much, but I doubt that will happen.

I wouldn't be shocked if they trade Kyrie for Paul and then love for Melo. Makes sense from a LeBron centric perspective.

I actually would love to see Melo in the third banana role. He showed he can really excel in that role on Team USA.

[A Future of Stevens]

The right move would be to hire a real GM and stop having LeBron dictate the roster construction so much, but I doubt that will happen.

I argue with my friends all the time about how lebrons biggest obstacle to history is his incessant need to control every aspect of the organizational side of basketball. Imagine an awesome gm by his side? Look how successful the heat were with riley.

[meangreenmachine]

LeBron is an egomaniac obsessed with being "The Chosen One," "The King" and the so-called "face of the NBA." He is clearly about to be displaced by Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors, much more worthy champions and role models by any measure.

My bet: James is going to demand a restructure of his Big Three. He will try to move Irving for Paul, and I think the Clippers might bite given the age difference (although I still think Paul will be an elite PG for another 5-7 years a la John Stockton). Then he will try to move Love for Melo, which would presumably be facilitated in a three-team trade just like the original move for Love (I doubt the Knicks would be interested in a straight-up trade given their investment in Porzingis). He could also look into Love for Butler, Love for George, or Love for Cousins. If one of those teams or players really wants to separate, a straight-up trade could happen. Last but not least, James will probably try to persuade D-Wade to join the team. Wade would be wise to steer clear given the damage it would do to his legacy in Miami.

In any case, I expect this to be the last three or four games of James/Irving/Love. Irving might be back, but I will be shocked to see Love in a Cavs uniform next season.

[LGC88]

As long as Lebron will try to dictate on court and off court stuff, I'd like to think he will never win a title again.
The guy is a joke. He deserves to be eliminated next year in semi or ecf from the Celtics.
I hope he won't learn too much, I don't think he deserves that either.

[Roy H.]

I think the suggested trades replace one problem (defense) with another (bad spacing).

[greece66]

GSW still has to win three more games.

as for CLE upgrading their roster, it will be very difficult - they have no picks and have lots of max/near max contracts.

[CFAN38]

Another loss would create a very interesting offseason for the Cavs.

Looking past individual players and more into the roles needed to proplell the James lead Cavs to a ring I think they need the following.

1 High level stretch 4/5 who can offer rim protection

2 two elite 3-D wings

3 an off the ball #2 scoring option

4 solid bench full of various utility players

The Cavs current roster requires James to do to much of "the dirty work". Where Curry is surrounded by players like Green, AI, Bogut and Ezeli who will do the little things that win games and take the tough assignments on D (for that matter even Thompson picks up the better wing scorer) James is left to take those roles and facilitate the offense. Jordan used to have Pippen and Grant/Rodman, Isiah Thomas had the entire pistons roster, Magic had cooper, rambis etc, Kobe had Artest. This worked in Miami because he and Wade split the load on offense and Bosh was his perfect compliment as a big man who filled my #1 role listed above.

[playdream]

3Netspick+Mickey+Rozier+Crowder+2017/2019 Bos pciks for Cousins
Sign Lequeen + KD

AB           IT
Smart      turner
KD
Lequeen
Cousins      KO

[Moranis]

I've been saying for awhile that Irving for Paul makes a lot of sense for both teams.  Seems to fit both team's window a lot better.

[greenhead85]

You mean a game loss? Or, a title series loss?

If by a game loss, I would wait until game three is over. Game one looked more of an aberration since the star Warriors guards were basically covered. Livingston, Barbosa and Iggy who delivered the goods  at that time are yet to be tested for consistency. All is not lost for the Cavs.

Next. If they lose this championship series, they could try to move KLove and JR Smith and reload. The East is basically theirs to lose. Maybe acquire Horford and Korver. Or, Millsap.

[Celtics4ever]

LeBron deserves any losses he gets.  I think he leaves them high and dry.   We already had the "big mistake" comment earlier in the year.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

Cavs are going to win this series and I will be sad and throwing up. They choked game 1 though and that's why LeBron was so p---ed, HUGE giveaway w/ the game SC AND KT had. I didn't like the feel of that one at all because they both stunk all game and that doesn't happen. I can see Iggy doing the same things for 7 games, he has many times over the years, so he will be there for 3 wins but Livingston and Barbosa? I dunno man. I hope GSW win but that was a weird one and duplicating it will be hard if splash doesn't find their way. I know people say they can't hold curry and klay like that consistently but I think people are underestimating the toll of the season, curry injury/missed time/his rhythm, Finals after winning last season (B2B is really hard alone) and that OKC series. I see exhaustion being a major factor + Cavs talent.

Going to be a wild ride. Go GSW!!! Please?!!! Lol

[LGC88]

As long as Irving and Love defend the pick n roll, I don't see how Cavs can win in 7 game series.