You can’t forget that, at this point, it seems that Lebron is exclusively eyeing LA as his next destination. He isn’t looking for cap flexibility, he’s looking to get out of Cleveland’s drama and into the city where his business is building.

Additionally, if Cleveland trades Kyrie anywhere, it’s going to be for an asset that helps them win now. There aren’t any more game-changing free agents available, and they won’t waste their last year with Lebron. If Irving leaves, Cleveland will get assets that will threaten Boston’s final year with IT.

Kyrie is on a pretty flexible contract. $18/3 is super reasonable given the current cap. It will probably get signed for $10mil more a year next offseason if he plays will this year. The guys I proposed they trade for Kyrie likely won’t be on the team in two seasons anyway. Crowder has been on the trade block since the Hayward signing.

Finally, you’re trading a 28-year-old who will likely regress soon for a 25-year-old upgrade who probably hasn’t even seen his peak and who is on a cheaper contract for the next two seasons when your championship odds are the highest they likely will be.

Anyway, we probably won’t agree, but I appreciate your civil and reasonable viewpoint (take that, Internet!).

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    Brent Lambert-Zaffino

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    Filmmaker and blogger out of Atlanta, Georgia.