Did Danny try to get rid of IT because of the hip damage?

[Neurotic Guy]

Apparently IT was needed in the trade for his salary, not his talent.   

Initially it appeared that the Cavs made the trade to bolster both a run for a title in 17-18 AND their post-LBJ future.  Speculation that IT could keep Lebron in Cleveland or that the pick would be used to pick up a piece for this year's run fueled present and future narratives as well.

Now it appears that IT was filler and an expiring rather than the KI replacement and future glue for LBJ.   

Cap room, Nets pick and Zizic (and a low salary starter in Jae) are the return for the 25 yo all-star who needed to be gone.  Of course, this theory is contingent upon the IT as damaged goods premise - which none of us know for sure.

[SHAQATTACK]

Sure he did .   I would have ....any good GM would and not blink if you ve done your homework.

but all the luv and hugging and kissing and loyalties and on and on .....people get real ....the Media paints a fairy tale picture of everything .....and the dumbed down public believes .

its about Winning and big money billions .

This was a chance to be rid of IT and his hip in one fell swoop .  Worth the extra value Danny was offering just to clear the way and get on with trying to beat the GSW .

Lebron is leaving , Irving has left .....the ship is sinking , noone is giving up players of the caliber they are losing .   

They are just using the media to spin the trade in their direction .

Stand firm.

[Somebody]

I think it played a significant factor, but I don't think it's big enough for Cleveland to throw a sissy fit and demand for more. The Nets pick, even if it falls to the 6-8 range has very intriguing prospects to select as a nice building piece. Add in the assets Love can bring and the Cavs are set quite nicely for a fast rebuild.

[billysan]

Apparently IT was needed in the trade for his salary, not his talent.   

Initially it appeared that the Cavs made the trade to bolster both a run for a title in 17-18 AND their post-LBJ future.  Speculation that IT could keep Lebron in Cleveland or that the pick would be used to pick up a piece for this year's run fueled present and future narratives as well.

Now it appears that IT was filler and an expiring rather than the KI replacement and future glue for LBJ.   

Cap room, Nets pick and Zizic (and a low salary starter in Jae) are the return for the 25 yo all-star who needed to be gone.  Of course, this theory is contingent upon the IT as damaged goods premise - which none of us know for sure.

This would suck if true. Reality often does.

How did the numbskulls on planet Cleveland  not remember Thomas being injured in the playoffs and the subsequent  reports on his status? I would have thought they should demand medical documents  and an evaluation prior to any trade agreement including him.

Maybe just me but I haven't seen a reliable source like NBA executives saying this trade was approved contingent on Thomas health.

[Snakehead]

It was definitely a big factor in a larger picture: that Ainge was never going to resign IT to a max contract.  I have been very against it and I think Ainge is as well.

When you factor in the hip, it makes me want to extend even less and then you also need to consider that in the trade.  If IT is hurt, he's really not all that much to give up either.  I don't mean to talk about IT like he sucks but as a long term piece there is not a lot of value there I don't think.

[jambr380]

Apparently IT was needed in the trade for his salary, not his talent.   

Initially it appeared that the Cavs made the trade to bolster both a run for a title in 17-18 AND their post-LBJ future.  Speculation that IT could keep Lebron in Cleveland or that the pick would be used to pick up a piece for this year's run fueled present and future narratives as well.

Now it appears that IT was filler and an expiring rather than the KI replacement and future glue for LBJ.   

Cap room, Nets pick and Zizic (and a low salary starter in Jae) are the return for the 25 yo all-star who needed to be gone.  Of course, this theory is contingent upon the IT as damaged goods premise - which none of us know for sure.

I always thought IT was third best asset in the deal - simply because he was not going to be re-signed by Cleveland. IT as salary filler sounds a bit harsh, but it isn't entirely untrue. I guess what needs to be determined now is whether IT is out for the entire season, a few months, or just the start of the season. If it is the former, then I can understand the desire for further compensation (not much, though). If it is the latter two, then Cleveland needs to chill as they should be healthy going into the playoffs...and that is all that really matters to them anyway.

[CelticsElite]

Its still a good package even if IT is filler

[mctyson]

and is IT damaged goods? This reminds me of post-acl rondo

1. This explains shane Larkin being signed. The day he was signed was probably the day Danny was given the news that ITs injury is Serious business..
2. It also explains the trade. No one expected IT being a goner. Now we know why.


ITs style of play can be very physically demanding, and hips are sensitive areas and can be tricky... The cavs rethinking it means the hip is worse than any of us thought it was. Anyone remember that report a few weeks ago that "IT won't need surgery" and we all celebrated? Danny probably let that out to up the trade value one last time... It was BS I bet..lol

Yes, absolutely.

Danny's track record is crystal clear on this issue:  Tony Allen, Kendrick Perkins, Rajon Rondo, now IT.  He does not resign players who have suffered substantial lower body injuries.  He is smart not to, and so he either trades them or lets them walk.  The only exception here was KG but I think that was more understandable.

[CelticsElite]

and is IT damaged goods? This reminds me of post-acl rondo

1. This explains shane Larkin being signed. The day he was signed was probably the day Danny was given the news that ITs injury is Serious business..
2. It also explains the trade. No one expected IT being a goner. Now we know why.


ITs style of play can be very physically demanding, and hips are sensitive areas and can be tricky... The cavs rethinking it means the hip is worse than any of us thought it was. Anyone remember that report a few weeks ago that "IT won't need surgery" and we all celebrated? Danny probably let that out to up the trade value one last time... It was BS I bet..lol

Yes, absolutely.

Danny's track record is crystal clear on this issue:  Tony Allen, Kendrick Perkins, Rajon Rondo, now IT.  He does not resign players who have suffered substantial lower body injuries.  He is smart not to, and so he either trades them or lets them walk.  The only exception here was KG but I think that was more understandable.

kg was harder to trade he had a no-trade clause.Wonder if he didn't have that, Danny would have flipped him sooner

[max215]

Its still a good package even if IT is filler

That's my stance. I really don't think they're getting anything better than Crowder, Zizic, and 2018 Nets. And if they really want to go for it this year, they could certainly flip some of those assets for a point guard. Do we really think Phoenix wouldn't swap Bledsoe for something like Crowder and Zizic, or even Crowder and Thomas?

[Vermont Green]

I would just like to hear what is really going on with the hip.  I have heard from ready to start training camp to never play NBA again.  I don't think it was ever anything better than a chronic condition that would need to be managed.  It now seems it is worse than that but how much worse and how sure are any of the Doctors.