Happy Without or With Bynum?

[InBoobieWeTrust]

Bynum was always going to resign with whoever had his Bird rights. We could have easily offered a better package than Orlando got without hurting our team. Now we have to hope Waiters is an all-star or this team will still suck when Kyrie leaves as a free agent.

Baseless speculation. In-fact, the reported offers from the Cavs WERE better than what Orlando got, in my opinion. But my opinion and your opinion on our assets don't matter, Rob Hennigan's does, and he obviously places a high amount of value on Aaron Affalo and Moe Harkless. I personally think he's an idiot for doing it and let ego/pride get in the way a little bit(and let Howard strong-arm him a little bit), but he turned down superior packages to get the garbage that he got. One mans trash is another mans treasure, etc.

I wanted Bynum, and I'm, sure the Cavaliers did as well, but it just didn't end up working out. We had a good enough offer, we were adequately aggressive. Orlando just made their choice and now they'll have to live with it.

I still wouldn't be sure about Bynum signing ANYWHERE next season until he actually does.

And the Cavs are still going to have Irving under control for probably 6-8 more years, MINIMUM, so even if Waiters and Thompson and Zeller are complete busts, Chris Grant's replacement will get a couple of years to try and do a Danny Ferry patchwork job before Kyrie finally hits unrestricted free agency.

[Chris]

I read, I just must have misread somehow. You criticized the Cavs for taking Zeller, who will be at best a good rotational big in your opinion, instead of taking a high ceiling pick. I don't agree. The cavs already made a risky pick with Waiters and making another risky pick on Miller / Jones that high would lead to the possibility of both picks busting. The cavs couldn't come out of this draft with NOTHING (if waiters and jones or miller busted). So they took a player who has a high ceiling but also has some bust potential (Waiters) while also taking the sure thing, who is almost a lock to be a good rotational big. They were risky last year too with Tristan. They really have gone after high ceiling guys, except for zeller.

I hate this thinking also because it assumes that Miller / Jones are on the same level prospect wise. If I were assessing which one to pick, I would of course decide if the reward of Miller and Jones is higher than the risk of them busting. The draft is all about value. I'm sure we all want the highest value we can get for our picks. So, is the possibility of Jones / Miller busting better value than Zeller's sureness? I don't have access to enough information to answer this question. For example, I don't have access to their medical reports. PJ3 lasted until 28 and Miller until well in the second round. That really makes me wonder if teams had access to some glaring reports we aren't privy to.

I don't feel like getting into a long winded debate. I don't hate Zeller or the pick. I just think when you have the option to take high ceiling guys that could turn into stars, I'd rather do that than take the safe rotational player. There are always rotational players available. High ceiling star caliber players, not so much. All I know is if either one of those guys (or god forbid, both) turn into beasts, I will be pretty upset. The Cavs have a long, long ways to go talent wise.

[Jon]

Bynum was always going to resign with whoever had his Bird rights. We could have easily offered a better package than Orlando got without hurting our team. Now we have to hope Waiters is an all-star or this team will still suck when Kyrie leaves as a free agent.

Cavaliers cannot take that risk - unless the cost was low, and to beat this deal - it wouldn't have been.

[Jon]

I don't feel like getting into a long winded debate. I don't hate Zeller or the pick. I just think when you have the option to take high ceiling guys that could turn into stars, I'd rather do that than take the safe rotational player. There are always rotational players available. High ceiling star caliber players, not so much. All I know is if either one of those guys (or god forbid, both) turn into beasts, I will be pretty upset. The Cavs have a long, long ways to go talent wise.

I agree with you and I would have been real happy if the Cavs had drafted Drummond at #4 rather than Waiters - but that sort of move is always contingent on your scouting of the player and any red flags you may turn up in the process.

For instance, Jeremy Lamb played well in summer league and got a lot of people excited that he might be the best wing in the draft; but in his case we're all well aware of the red flags that caused him to drop in the draft. Only time will tell what's behind those red flags and if they'll ultimately de-rail him - let alone if he'll do anywhere near as well when faced against better/stronger NBA talent.

Drummond, otoh, just looked like a project.

[JSS2306]

Bynum is an inconsistent blow hard who half asses most possessions. I know we're on the East coast but come on, get with the times, Bynum has his fair share of problems. I don't think he would have come to Cleveland with a winners attitude.

[STAT]

Bynum is an inconsistent blow hard who half asses most possessions. I know we're on the East coast but come on, get with the times, Bynum has his fair share of problems. I don't think he would have come to Cleveland with a winners attitude.

As long as he brought his 19 and 12 I would have been ecstatic.

[LBJVirus]

As long as he brought his 19 and 12 I would have been ecstatic.

I remember thinking the same thing about Jamison. Maybe not 19 and 12 more like 16 and 8. But still it's not about numbers. Bynum had all the red flags of a player that I wouldn't want. First off he's injury prone. Second he was in LA and won 2 rings already so that kinda takes the drive out of getting another. Third I just get a feeling he's all about the money and is about to go Shawn Kemp on whoever gets him.