While yes Irving wanted out, the Cavs didn't have a ton of pressure to move him right away. There is more issue with LEbron.
Now if you look at it, IT hasn't even started to run yet. Three weeks from Camp, less than 8 weeks from the start of the season. It might be mid Nov before he sniffs the court. Which means that hip was WAY worse than the C's were letting on. Which a guy whos closer to 30 than 25, and hits the floor 10 times a game, wear and tear are going to catch up in the next couple seasons.
Crowder is a meh starter, but good bench player, thats a plus for the Cavs
Zizc doesn't move well for Celtics basketball, but does for the Cavs slower pace. But he's still a couple years away from being decent.
The East got a lot worse. There are going to be some play off teams now tanking. So a team like the Nets, who wont gain anything by tanking, who played hard last season, and made us a bit nervous, got a little better and have nothing to lose every night makes them a dangerous team. The Lakers are kinda in the same spot, but they play in a VERY good and much improved West.
So thats why it's not protected. A hurt player whos got maybe 3 years left of high basketball play, a role player, and a young euro who had no real offensive game. And the pick could be out side the top 5. And if it's protected there has to be compassion. I doubt the Cavs are going to want ANY of our next 5 to 8 picks since they might be in the mid to late 20's for a while. And now that we know what we may have with Tatum, I'd rather pass on a "possible" player next season. Plus Tatum gives us depth which we really need, were next years pick dose nothing for that right now.
And again we still have the LA/Sac pick and three guys under 23 with a bunch of potential.