lipoli390 wrote:I don't see Kyrie ending up here for the reasons I gave above. Nor do I see Kyrie ending up in Miami. I see the Knicks as a realistic possibility in a Melo for Kyrie deal. The Cavs could then sign Derrick Rose as their new starting PG. LeBron's a facilitator and Melo is a scorer. It would be an interesting pairing. Otherwise, I could see the Spurs dealing Aldridge for Kyrie. The Spurs would then need help up front. The Wolves could come to the rescue and offer Cole Aldrich for a 2nd round pick. :)
Hello again my K9 loving friends. Very exciting that the Wolves are constantly in the news for the right reasons this offseason. If I would have told anyone at the end of last season that our Big 3 going into next season would be Kyrie, Jimmy B, and KAT, everyone would have called me crazy (including myself), and now it's a distinct possibility.
I just opened this thread and have a couple thoughts on Lip's suggestions. First, I completely agree that if we had Ricky still, that would make this trade a lot more possible and more likely. If Kyrie would have asked for the trade a month ago, I'd say it'd also be more likely since it would have been much easier to fill the vacant wing position.
I can't see the Cavs taking Melo for Kyrie straight up, it would take a lot more at this point in time I think. Melo's value isn't near what it once was. If the Knicks had picked Dennis Smith, then Melo+Smith would have worked I bet, though. The Knicks really lack assets right now, unless they're willing to include Porzingis, which I don't think the Knicks will do now that Phil is out.
I also don't see Aldridge being anything of interest for the Cavs. The Cavs need players who can match up in today's NBA, specifically with the Warriors. Aldridge, a throwback NBA big, doesn't do that. If they get Aldridge, they get a somewhat aging veteran who downgrades their likelihood of getting over the hump completely = LeBron gone = no help with the rebuild either. I don't think it would make sense for the Wolves to help the Spurs get Kyrie either just to drop Aldrich. I see that as the Wolves helping a WC rival block our own road to a championship run. Kyrie helps the Spurs more than Aldrich's contract hurts the Wolves at this point.
The Wolves clearly have the most to offer the Cavs if they were willing to part with Wiggins for him. Worst case for the Cavs in that situation, they get a key piece to a rebuild project in a coveted (wing) position to have one. And if LeBron walks, it also softens that blow. Best case for the Cavs, Wiggins flourishes when he's an afterthought on the floor for defenses and offenses. But I also agree with everyone that says this leaves us with a gaping hole at the wing position. Sure we can plug in Jamal Crawford into the starting lineup, but we have literally nothing on the wing behind those guys, and the free agency market in those positions is getting pretty thin. Plus, then we'd have a surplus at PG. With that said, the Wolves could always trade Teague for a wing in December and look a lot more balanced, if they wanted Kyrie for Wiggins. I don't see much chance of getting Kyrie without Wiggins... perhaps offering Patton+2 future Wolves 1st+OKC 1st+Gorgui gets it done, but probably not what the Cavs are looking for unless they're absolutely convinced LeBron walks.