Windy: Cavs reconstructing roster, predicts "full rebuild" (post #514)

[WhoWeAre]

I want to be the next OKC. They are without a doubt one of the most exciting teams in the NBA, and the fact that they're so damn young makes it that much more exciting. It all starts with one franchise player, our KD. And we just keep those young'uns comin'. The sooner, the better, but I say keep Mo unless a golden opportunity appears, and don't just trade him to trade him. He is now our x-factor, and our most exciting player, sadly. But he's the face and personality. The leader of this team until we're ready to deal him for something actually worth it.

Well then, the Cavs should get right on that.

KD is a VERY rare talent -- we could draft top 5 for the next 5 years and not get a "franchise" player like KD.

And even if we do, he could pull a Cheat move like LeChoke, and leave.

Here's my opinion: I trust whatever Gilbert and Grant decide to do. Either way, I'm getting some season tickets this year to support this organization.

 

[The_L_Train]

I want to be the next OKC. They are without a doubt one of the most exciting teams in the NBA, and the fact that they're so damn young makes it that much more exciting. It all starts with one franchise player, our KD. And we just keep those young'uns comin'. The sooner, the better, but I say keep Mo unless a golden opportunity appears, and don't just trade him to trade him. He is now our x-factor, and our most exciting player, sadly. But he's the face and personality. The leader of this team until we're ready to deal him for something actually worth it.

I agree, although guys like Durant don't exactly come around that often. That said, I like the model and personally would enjoy watching this team go through a total rebuilding process. As long as it's done correctly...

 

[WhoWeAre]

I agree, although guys like Durant don't exactly come around that often. That said, I like the model and personally would enjoy watching this team go through a total rebuilding process. As long as it's done correctly...

That model is successful ONLY because of Durant.

 

[CalBuckeyeRob]

The model of every upper echelon team in recent history started with one elite franchise guy. Somehow you have to get that guy and the best way is through a top 5 pick. Certainly there is no guarantee as many high picks end up bombing but that is still the model whether we like it or not.

The other alternative is signing a guy like a young Shaq or LeBron as a free agent. But if we can agree on anything as a group, it would be that a 25 year old free agent future HOF guy isn't coming to Cleveland and likely never will. So that option doesn't exist here.

It is simply not possible to win it all by grouping together a bunch of "plucky" guys with a brilliant coach. You have to get the Durant, Duncan, LeBron, Wade, Jordan, Hakeem, Ewing, Rose, Kobe, Garnett, etc. as the centerpiece. Still doesn't guarantee anything but it puts you in the discussion.

 

[The_L_Train]

That model is successful ONLY because of Durant.

Oh I agree with that. I think the model is valid though. This is a star-driven league. One guy can make a HUGE difference. Virtually all of the good teams are good because at the top they have got some really, really good player leading that franchise. The only team I can think of in recent memory which stood as something of an outlier were the 04-06 Detroit Pistons. Personally, I would rather take my chances acquiring high draft picks, clearing cap space and building around youth than taking my chances trying to trade for guys in their prime.

It's very very rare for a player to be acquired in his prime through a trade. After all, if he is being traded one would logically wonder why he was on the market in the first place? That being said, the higher your draft pick the higher your chances of acquiring such a guy, and in the present system you've got to generally "tank" a bit to get in that position.

 

[WhoWeAre]

The model of every upper echelon team in recent history started with one elite franchise guy. Somehow you have to get that guy and the best way is through a top 5 pick. Certainly there is no guarantee as many high picks end up bombing but that is still the model whether we like it or not.

The other alternative is signing a guy like a young Shaq or LeBron as a free agent. But if we can agree on anything as a group, it would be that a 25 year old free agent future HOF guy isn't coming to Cleveland and likely never will. So that option doesn't exist here.

It is simply not possible to win it all by grouping together a bunch of "plucky" guys with a brilliant coach. You have to get the Durant, Duncan, LeBron, Wade, Jordan, Hakeem, Ewing, Rose, Kobe, Garnett, etc. as the centerpiece. Still doesn't guarantee anything but it puts you in the discussion.

They call it a "lottery" for a reason...

And the resounding consensus that the ONLY way to build a contender is to completely tank/rebuild could lead to 10 years of sucking...

I don't want to watch a shitty team for 10 years. I loved watching the Bulls last year (one of my NBA league pass teams) -- but according to everyone, they would qualify as being on the treadmill of mediocrity since they lost in the first round.

Oh wait...more semantics. They are a rebuild team since they drafted some of their "core" players. Oh wait...they signed some big free agents to continue to "build"...

That's why the current terminology of this board is failing -- there's no clear difference between rebuilding entirely and rebuilding on the fly.

 

[CalBuckeyeRob]

The Bulls have had 9 top 10 picks in the past 12 drafts and 7 picks in the top 4. The Bulls were the poster child for tanking it before they got good again thanks to Derrick Rose--the top pick.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHI/draft.html

 

[Cavs17]

I am sorry to say but I wouldnt give windy 5cents for anything he says. The cavs are going to need to rebuild yes, but he talks of these guys like they are going to be superstars. None of those guys on that list are worth more than jamison or moe. I know Jamison is older but for the next few years as we rebuild if we want to be a contender having a good veteran like him is going to be a vital key to rookies that we draft in the near future. I know that Gilbert promised us that he would win a title before the King. Thats not going to happen we are going to need to take 2 or 3 years to assemble a team to do so. Right now our best option would be to work out a deal for a sign and trade with Shaq for Marvin Williams and then go from there. I hope cleveland does everything right to there roster the next few years.

 

[NarlCavs]

Anyone who has followed the Cavs for any length of time has to know that the only way this franchise playing in this market will ever acquire big time or franchise level talent is through high draft picks. That requires having a poor record for the best opportunity to draft that high.

It's extremely hard to trade for that type of talent and you're not going to bring in to Cleveland through free agency.

Look at Cavs history. Prior to every run of high success it was preceded by a run of poor records leading up to it.

It's just the reality in this market and with the way the NBA typically is. If fans want to once again reach the level of having a championship contender they're going to have to suck it up and go through some seasons of bad records and player development.
I'd prefer that rather than go through a decade long stretch of mediocrity with no hope of playoff success or adding franchise level talent. Look at the post Daugherty/Price to pre-lebron era as a reference.