Reallistically- How long before will it take to be a top 2-3 seed in the East?

[NIkeL]

Unless we hit a hidden gem in the next 2 or 3 drafts, i see us strugling to get there for the next 10 years, and i'm not even joking.

 

[edg1931]

I can see us in 2 or 3 seasons being a very exciting team. That's not taking FA signing into considerations who we will have to overpay for haha. I have to say I want Jeremy Lamb as much as I've ever wanted a college player on this team. Him and Irving would be an awesome back court to watch, and one that most teams in the league would be very jealous of. It's hard to predict because of the moves that have yet to be made, but we have to bright spots to start things off!

 

[gregdawg]

I think that in 2 years from now, we will make the playoffs. The key for me, is to pick the best players we can in the next two drafts. Then, we will have a young core of Kyrie, TT, Casspi and the 3-4 guys we gonna draft. After that, we can trade for some solid role players or one-two starters, in positions we may not be able to cover throu the draft. But in my opinion, it will take us 4-5 years for sure to become title contender. Till then, our rookies will get experience throu playoff matches in order to be ready when time comes.

2 years is WAY too optimistic. you have to remember - these new guys are young - even the best players take a few years to develop. it'll be close to 5 years before the cavs have a legit roster.

 

[Real Deal]

Really don't give two shits for a thread like this. Maybe im just anti... Live your life and enjoy this season before we look 5-6 years down the road. Hell, we're all suppose to die in 2012 anyway.

 

[mofire]

It really all depends the landscape in the NBA. Remember the big three in Miami have an opt out clause in all three of their contracts after the 13-14 season I think. So given their situation the Knicks with melo and Amare who I do not fear what so ever. The big question mark is what happens with dwight. Honestly I'm hoping he moves to the West.

 

[CommD]

If I were running the team (or more importanlty, its owner), it is actually IMPERATIVE that the 2012-2013 make the playoff. From the PD concerning the Irving and Thompson rookie deals:

overall pick, was signed to a four-year, $16.65 million contract.

In each case, the deals are technically two years with a club option for the third and fourth years.

Byron Scott signed a four year contract in 2010; so he is now beginning his second year. This means that next year 2012-13, you will need to determine if you plan to extend him.

You cannot guarantee that if the rookies turn into superior players that they will re-sign with CLE; in fact, from an organizational planning prospective, you have to assume that they may not. This is the timeline you are dealing with:

2011-12 Y1 BSY2KI/TTY1 (Current Year)
2012-13 Y2 BSY3 KI/TTY2 (Scott extension determination)
2013-14 Y3 BSY4 KI/TTY3 (Final Year Scott )
2014-15 Y4 KI/TTY4
2015-16 Y5 ?? ??

It is unlikely you will extend a losing coach and Scott will not want to stay in a losing situation, so you are looking at a coaching change after NEXT season with no playoff appearance. After the following year, 2013-14, you will need to decide to extend the rookies (you do not want to go into the 4th year with no extension, even though there is an option available.) I don't know what Grants contract looks like, but its likely along the lines of Scotts in length. That means that Grant needs to work some miracles, or he likely gone the next year after Scott (2013-14).

Im not going to even get into ticket sales in a weak midwestern economy for a perpetually losing franchise. A winning culture must be established so that these players, coaches and yes even the fans, see a future in the armpit of the NBA. Perpetual losing is not an option in this situation.

This is why I continually harp on the need to move Varejao and Gibson to bring a decent center prospect into this situation quickly, so that you start the TEAM development process NOW. Acquiring a legitimate low-post center is critical because you can then establish a workable offense for your 1st-choice-in-the-draft point guard to You can't just bank on getting a top two pick to land a Drummond--the odds are too long. On the other hand, your chances of landing a decent wing player in the upcoming draft lottery is pretty good. Ultimately, trades are going to have to play a key role in making this happen--I give Grant until the trade deadline this year.

Get it done Grant & Scott; Playoffs in 2013---and of course, that 8-1 seed match-up where CAVS take down the HEAT!

 

[Birdy89]

Unless Kyrie or next years #1 pick becomes a top 5-10 player in the NBA (and not just an All-star) then we have no chance of being a 1-2 seed anytime this decade.

Outside of the Pistons, I can't think of a team in either conference in the last decade or so that has been a top 2 seed without a top 5-10 player leading their team.

A solid all-star or 2 gets you to the Hawks/Jazz level, but to get to that next level you need top 5-10 stars.

I think Kyrie is going to be really good, but that is a huge jump from really good to top 5 elite level. Not sure I ever see him being there, and without that championship contention is all but a pipe dream.

 

[Oasis]

The 2004-2005 team finished above .500 (42-40) with stiffs such as Drew Gooden, Ira Newble, Eric Snow, Robert Traylor, and Jeff Mcinnis receiving lots of playing time. Let's not forget Jim Paxson was the GM. The bench was even worse.

I have infinitely more confidence in Grant's ability as a GM to surround the team with talent. I don't envision a Jiri Welsch-like trade for a 1st round pick in our future. That level of competence (as opposed to recklessness and total incompetence) in itself accelerates the process.

I'm predicting playoffs as early as next season (squeeking in) with three definite building blocks (Kyrie, TT and the 2012 pick ) as well as 23 million in cap room next offseason and hopeful growth from other players such as Samardo and possibly Eyenga (although he looked awful last night).

Now obviously simply qualifying for the playoffs isn't the goal. We want a team that has a relatively large window that can compete for a championship year in-year out. That's been established. However, as we continue to build (and the 2012 draft is really the key, as most would agree) we could make significant progress in a fairly short time span, It isn't going to be terrible after terrible after terrible teams with high lottery picks then a miraculous run to the finals. It will occur incrementally. I don't see a playoff appearance in '12-13 with the aforementioned assets being out of the question.

Oasis

 

[SteelSmack]

As much cap space as we'll have after this year, thanks to the Baron amnesty, if we get a near superstar caliber player in next years draft, we could have a decent chance at convincing a top tier free agent to come here - yes even Cleveland - if they think they'll have a shot at a championship with us, rather than spend their career being the only guy on a near championship squad (overly wishful thinking says Dwight Howard). We get the best player in the upcoming draft, Kyrie and TT, a complimenting piece would probably be willing to come here for max money...

IF that all happens, we could easily make the playoffs next year and peak a few years after that, with legitimate shots at championships as soon as 2 years from now. But all of that happening is a pretty big if. Realistically, I think 3 years until we hit the playoffs, and ~5 before anyone considers us a real contender, assuming our management knows what they're doing.

 

[czvo]

Making the playoffs in 2013 means making it NEXT YEAR. Fuck that. Stay in the lottery (preferably top-5) for 2013, then worry about the playoffs.

 

[TheISHT]

5 years minimum, considering we will have to build our team through the draft and trades. We need at least two more top 5 picks and hit big on one of them.

 

[Chris]

If I were running the team (or more importanlty, its owner), it is actually IMPERATIVE that the 2012-2013 make the playoff. From the PD concerning the Irving and Thompson rookie deals:



Byron Scott signed a four year contract in 2010; so he is now beginning his second year. This means that next year 2012-13, you will need to determine if you plan to extend him.

You cannot guarantee that if the rookies turn into superior players that they will re-sign with CLE; in fact, from an organizational planning prospective, you have to assume that they may not. This is the timeline you are dealing with:

2011-12 Y1 BSY2KI/TTY1 (Current Year)
2012-13 Y2 BSY3 KI/TTY2 (Scott extension determination)
2013-14 Y3 BSY4 KI/TTY3 (Final Year Scott )
2014-15 Y4 KI/TTY4
2015-16 Y5 ?? ??

It is unlikely you will extend a losing coach and Scott will not want to stay in a losing situation, so you are looking at a coaching change after NEXT season with no playoff appearance. After the following year, 2013-14, you will need to decide to extend the rookies (you do not want to go into the 4th year with no extension, even though there is an option available.) I don't know what Grants contract looks like, but its likely along the lines of Scotts in length. That means that Grant needs to work some miracles, or he likely gone the next year after Scott (2013-14).

Im not going to even get into ticket sales in a weak midwestern economy for a perpetually losing franchise. A winning culture must be established so that these players, coaches and yes even the fans, see a future in the armpit of the NBA. Perpetual losing is not an option in this situation.

This is why I continually harp on the need to move Varejao and Gibson to bring a decent center prospect into this situation quickly, so that you start the TEAM development process NOW. Acquiring a legitimate low-post center is critical because you can then establish a workable offense for your 1st-choice-in-the-draft point guard to You can't just bank on getting a top two pick to land a Drummond--the odds are too long. On the other hand, your chances of landing a decent wing player in the upcoming draft lottery is pretty good. Ultimately, trades are going to have to play a key role in making this happen--I give Grant until the trade deadline this year.

Get it done Grant & Scott; Playoffs in 2013---and of course, that 8-1 seed match-up where CAVS take down the HEAT!

What is this post I don't even.

You are making about a billion assumptions. The worst one you are making is that it is healthy for the franchise to make the postseason next year. The truth is that it is not and that if they make the playoffs next year it means 1) Kyrie and their 2012 rookie absolutely exploded and became top players at their position (so unlikely for a rookie and sophomore, it's ridiculous) or 2) Grant made some terrible moves that helped nudge us up to mediocrity.

It is not imperative we make the playoffs next year. It is imperative that we do not. It amazes me that most people get this but some still do not.

 

[Amherstcavsfan]

Realistically, I don't know if we can be a top 2-3 seed team in the East when there are teams like the Heat, Knicks, Chicago, potentially the Nets, hell, maybe even Indiana.

If we draft well, I'd say 5-6 years before we are legit serious contenders.

 

[Chris]

Realistically, I don't know if we can be a top 2-3 seed team in the East when there are teams like the Heat, Knicks, Chicago, potentially the Nets, hell, maybe even Indiana.

If we draft well, I'd say 5-6 years before we are legit serious contenders.

If there becomes fan pressure to add Andre Iguodala and Chris Kaman to the roster, I don't think we'll ever get there.

 

[Pyro]

Holy shit the optimism in this thread is incredible. As early as next year? Are you kidding me? :chuckles: