Thursday, May 2
Jarrett Allen goes west in mock trade proposal
15Aug By James MastrucciNo Comments
Cavs

Jarrett Allen goes west in mock trade proposal

Could Cavs big man Jarrett Allen be heading west? That has been proposed in a mock trade appearing on Lake Show Life.  The deal would see Jarrett Allen go to the Lakers in exchange for Rui Hachimura and a 2025 second-round selection courtesy of the LA Clippers. This trade is said to benefit both teams from the author’s point of view.  "In the end, this trade is a trade of fit for both teams. The Cavaliers are looking to build around Mobley, which means putting shooters on the court at all times. The Lakers need another reliable center to fulfill their promise to Davis." While the point about building around Evan Mobley is incredibly valid, this is only taking the surface into account. It is not about the removal of Jarrett Allen, but the insertion of Hachimura into what Clevela...
Read More
James Harden calls Daryl Morey a liar
14Aug By James MastrucciNo Comments
Beyond Believeland

James Harden calls Daryl Morey a liar

76ers star James Harden made some comments about Philadelphia's President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey that were not flattering. Harden referred to Morey as a liar in addition to stating that he will not play for an organization that he is a part of. https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1691039343186456576?s=20 This comes one day after it was reported that Philadelphia has ended their trade discussions involving James Harden. Apparently, Harden's public comments have not done anything to convince Morey to change his stance on not trading Harden. https://twitter.com/JDumasReports/status/1691103921086033920?s=20 With both sides standing firm in their stances and do not seem to be budging any time soon, this is a saga that is going to continue for the foreseeabl...
Read More
Pete Alonso “dangled” by Mets at trade deadline
13Aug By James MastrucciNo Comments
Beyond Believeland

Pete Alonso “dangled” by Mets at trade deadline

Could the Mets have traded first baseman Pete Alonso before this past trade deadline? It appears that was something that could have been on the table, according to one report. The New York Post's Mike Puma stated this was possible before the deadline. Puma mentions that Alonso was someone the Mets "dangled" at the deadline with other players that were eventually dealt. However, a deal for the Mets' star first baseman was not close at any time. This was due to the reportedly high asking price and unknown willingness to deal Alonso. If the Mets would have received an offer good enough to deal Pete Alonso, it would have signaled an entirely different direction than that championed by new owner Steve Cohen. Cohen has been vocal about spending money and putting a team together to compe...
Read More
Another insane mock trade involving Donovan Mitchell
12Aug By James MastrucciNo Comments
Cavs

Another insane mock trade involving Donovan Mitchell

Another day and another hypothetical trade proposal that involves Cavs star Donovan Mitchell on the move. The trade, which appears in an article on King James Gospel, has a handful of players changing teams. Cleveland would receive Damian Lillard from Portland while Miami lands Donovan Mitchell. Portland's return would be Tyler Herro, Isaac Okoro, Jaime Jaques, Nikola Jovic, three first-round picks, and two pick swaps. This is a lot to sort through. First off, thankfully it does have Mitchell ending up on the Knicks. Pretty sure everyone has seen enough of those for a lifetime and then some. As far as the actual trade is concerned, it is a doozy. Anything involving Lillard at this point will be shut down by the league. Miami's involvement, even though they do not land him in t...
Read More
Knicks guard chimes in on Donovan Mitchell rumors
11Aug By James MastrucciNo Comments
Cavs

Knicks guard chimes in on Donovan Mitchell rumors

Current New York Knicks point guard and longtime friend of Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Brunson, discussed the trade rumors with Joe Vardon of The Athletic. Brunson mentioned the frequency and availability of the rumors involving Mitchell headed to New York. Additionally, Brunson said that he was happy with his current teammates, but that was to be expected. It's impossible not to see things—rumors and all the stuff that comes up on Twitter and all that stuff every single day is always on TV. There's always possibilities when you hear about that stuff. Donovan is a good friend of mine for a while. We were in the same high school class, our relationship goes back a long way. I think right now, I'm more than happy with my guys, and I love my teammates." Jalen Brunson The most notable of...
Read More
Cavs trade Donovan Mitchell to Knicks in ridiculous mock trade
10Aug By James MastrucciNo Comments
Cavs, Featured

Cavs trade Donovan Mitchell to Knicks in ridiculous mock trade

As if there was not already enough unnecessary trade speculation involving Donovan Mitchell, we now have a mock trade. This one comes from James Piercey of NBA Analysis Network and has the Cavs sending Mitchell to the Knicks (shocker). The mock trade is as follows. New York receives Donovan Mitchell. Cleveland receives RJ Barrett, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Quentin Grimes, in addition to New York's 2026, 2028, and 2030 first-round draft picks. Jesus tapdancing Christ, what are we doing here? The only way a trade like this would be considered from Cleveland's perspective is Donovan Mitchell straight-up requested a trade to the Knicks. That's it. Cleveland made multiple moves in the offseason to improve their supporting cast in order to make a deep postseason. They are very much ...
Read More
Danny Green was a in a “weird space” with Cavs
9Aug By James MastrucciNo Comments
Cavs

Danny Green was a in a “weird space” with Cavs

The return to Cleveland did not go as planned for veteran forward Danny Green. In a recent interview with Emily Austin on The Hoop Chat, Green discussed what transpired during his second stint with the Cavs. "It was just tough being in that position, that situation. There was a lot of weird air of not knowing what was going on, what was happening, what my role was going to be, or what it was. There was talks differently before I got there than when I got there. Ultimately in the time I thought I was going to get my opportunity to actually play throughout the regular season, I caught COVID" Danny Green would later add that as the regular season came to a close and it became playoff time, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff did not want to disrupt what got them there. This resulted in Green...
Read More
Is Donovan Mitchell a Top 5 shooting guard?
8Aug By James MastrucciNo Comments
Cavs

Is Donovan Mitchell a Top 5 shooting guard?

Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Donovan Mitchell is among the upper echelon of players in the league, this is a fact. But where does Mitchell rank when compared to the rest of the league's shooting guards? Is he in the Top 5? That answer appears to be yes. Frank Urbina from HoopsHype places the Cavs' guard as the third-best in the NBA. Ahead of Mitchell on this list are Anthony Edwards (second) and Devin Booker (first). This is not exactly anything to get worked up about as both are deserving of their respective positions. Urbina was both complimentary, noting his fourth straight All-Star appearance and earning second-team All-NBA honors. But there is some criticism about how the Cavs' playoff run came to an end. "The Cavaliers overall had a good regular season, going 51-31 and...
Read More
Jarrett Allen named way too early trade deadline candidate
7Aug By James MastrucciNo Comments
Cavs, Featured

Jarrett Allen named way too early trade deadline candidate

Could the Cleveland Cavaliers move one of their big men by the NBA Trade Deadline? That possibility was suggested in an article identifying 1 Way-too-early 2024 trade deadline candidate for all 30 teams. Jarrett Allen was the Cavs' entry on this list and there is a pretty solid case made for it. Not only do they have to take a tangible step forward in their overall team development to try and sell Donovan Mitchell on their future, but they also have to figure out what the dynamic is going to be with the emerging Evan Mobley There are a couple of things to take away from this. First off is fit as it became very questionable this past season. The Cavs were lacking enough threats from outside the paint and having Allen as a permanent resident near the basket bogs things up down there...
Read More
Cavs must approach the season differently after Rubio’s announcement
6Aug By James MastrucciNo Comments
Cavs

Cavs must approach the season differently after Rubio’s announcement

The Cleveland Cavaliers approach the upcoming season in a way that takes the possibility of being without Ricky Rubio into consideration. The veteran backup point guard recently announced that he is putting his professional basketball career on hold to focus on his mental health. This puts the Cavs in a spot where they must alter any of their plans that include Rubio. Waiting and hoping Rubio returns at some point to contribute to this team is not an acceptable approach. Yes, it would be great if that was the case, but mental health can be tricky. It does not work within predetermined timeframes that fit the structure of the upcoming season. Because of this, they should Rubio's potential involvement next season as non-existent. Maybe Rubio gets the help he needs to get in a better spo...
Read More