I'm going to take a realistic approach...
Trade JR Smith for Bazemore - straight-up
- ATL clears $16M of cap in 19'.
- Cavs upgrade their perimeter defense.
Trade Love for Kemba & Marvin Williams. This would likely require a 3rd team to take on Love. Phoenix?
CLE out: Love
CLE in: Kemba, Williams
PHX out: Chandler, Dudley (both expirings), #16 pick
PHX in: Love
CHA out: Kemba, Williams
CHA in: Chandler, Dudley, #16 pick
Draft
WCJ or MPJ at #8
Sign Dedmon using vet min. Resign J. Green & Hood.
Kemba, Hill, Clarkson
Bazemore, Hood, Korver
James, Osman,
MPJ
Williams, Nance, Green,
WCJ
Dedmon, Tristan, Zizic
At the deadline you still have Hill's expiring to play with
Charlotte has zero use for Kevin Love. They'd rather just keep Kemba in this scenario.
To sell LeBron on a quick rebuild, I think the first step is to prove we're willing to eat the salary necessary, which Dan has done in the past.
Whether you eat Chandler Parsons awful deal or Nicolas Batum's, to put together a rebuild, one of those guys ends up on our roster.
The tricky part is in dealing with Charlotte, they desperately want the #8 pick. Giving them expiring deals in JR and George Hill eases their luxury tax issues, but it's not enough to get Kemba. They're going to demand that #8 pick.
But let's just say CLE decided to move JR Smith, George Hill, and the #8 pick for Kemba and Batum (the salary matches on this trade and I think it's fair for both sides).
You've now got a core of:
Kemba
Batum
LeBron
Love
Nance/TT
Which is already a HUGE upgrade over what we finished the season with. Is that enough to keep LeBron? I doubt it....
So now your assets are Love, Cedi, Nance, Korver, and 2021 1st rd pick. Now you're looking for a trade partner that would value Love and be willing to sacrifice with an athletic wing to make the Cavs intriguing enough for LeBron to stay.
I do think if Paul George forced OKC's hand (which I don't think he will do) there is fairness in a sign and trade where OKC gets back Love and Cedi for PG. Love actually fits in OKC's system pretty well theoetically next to Adams. And Rusty needs shooting aroun dhim at all times. And Cedi instantly becomes their starting 2 or 3, IMO, and brings the same type of game Roberson did with significantly better offense.
Unfortunately with Kawhi, he just doesn't have the same leverage PG does, since PG can walk for nothing from OKC should he choose to. I don't see the Spurs as realistic trade partners unless we package the #8 pick to SA, but I just don't see us having enough ammo to pry him away from the Spurs.
IMO, I think the Cavs should pull the trigger on a trade with Charlotte now, and then figure the rest out later. Prove to LeBron we're serious about improving this team, and then use Love, Cedi, and the 2021 1st rd pick to land that next piece. And maybe by some miracle, you can convince LeBron, even if we can't improve team beyond Kemba and Batum, the next year TT becomes a nice expiring deal, and the 2021 draft pick holds more currency. You'd hope Cedi would have more stature around the league as well, but who the fuck knows with how CLE develops their young players.
I still believe LeBron ends up in LA, but I feel like Dan should unload the chamber prior to the draft to show LeBron he's committed to winning long-term. Make LeBron really wrestle with the decision. One thing he won't get in LA (at least with the Lakers) is an owner willing to spend deep into the luxury tax.....comparatively speaking, the Busses are poor in relation to other NBA owners. They just can't afford to spend the way Dan does.