How Will the 2017 NBA Finals Affect the NBA?

Kevin Durant is your Finals MVP after helping to lead the Golden State Warriors to their 2nd Championship in 3 years!
Those are the headlines you most likely read about or saw after Monday, June 12, 2017th’s Game 5 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors won the trilogy in 5 games with a 4–1 record. This makes LeBron James three of eight in the NBA Championship. He has lost 3 of the last 4 Championships and it is safe to say he needs help. The Cavaliers faced a virtually unbeatable ‘super team’ in the Golden State Warriors.

The Warriors were led by Kevin Durant’s 35.2 points per game, 8.4 rebounds per game, and 5.4 assists per game and Stephen Curry’s 26.8 points per game, 8 rebounds per game, and 9.4 assists per game. Klay Thompson was also big help to the Warriors averaging 16.4 points, 3.4 assists, and 3.6 rebounds. Draymond green was also helping out the Warriors a ton averaging a double-double (11 points per game and 10.2 rebounds per game). Other guys that helped out for the Warriors include Andre Iguodala (8.6 ppg, 3.4 apg, and 3.4 rpg), Zaza Pachulia (3.2 ppg, 0.4 apg, and 2.8 rpg), David West (4.2 ppg, 0.6 apg, and 2 rpg), Matt Barnes (0.6 ppg, 0.4 apg, and 0.2 rpg), Ian Clark (4.8 ppg, 0.8 apg, and 1 rpg), Javale McGee (2.8 ppg, 0.8 apg, and 2.5 rpg), Shaun Livingston (6.6 ppg, 1.2 apg, 1 rpg), James Michael McAdoo (1 ppg, 0 apg, and 0.5 rpg), and Patrick McCaw (2.2 ppg, 0.4 apg, and 2 rpg).

For the Cavaliers, they were led by 3-time Champion LeBron James and 1-time Champion Kyrie Irving. LeBron averaged a triple-double this Finals (33.6 ppg, 10 apg, and 12 rpg) and he became the first player to do so. He also surpassed Magic Johnson for most triple-double’s in the Finals at 9 (Magic having 8 triple-double’s in the Finals). Kyrie Irving was also a huge factor for this Cavaliers team with 29.4 points per game, 4.4 assists per game, and 4 rebounds per game. Kevin Love also helped the Cavs with 16.1 points per game, 1 assist per game, and 11.2 rebounds per game. Other players that helped the Cavs include J.R. Smith (11.8 ppg, 0.4 apg, and 1.6 rpg), Tristan Thompson (5.6 ppg, 2.6 apg, and 5.8 rpg), Richard Jefferson (5.8 ppg, 0.4 apg, and 2.4 rpg), Kyle Korver (4.4 ppg, 1 apg, and 4 rpg), Iman Shumpert (3.6 ppg, 0.8 apg, and 2 rpg), Deron Williams (1 ppg, 1.2 apg, and 1.6 rpg), Derrick Williams (2.3 ppg, 0.3 apg, and 0.3 rpg), Dahntay Jones (3 ppg, 0 apg, and 1.3 rpg), Channing Frye (2 ppg, 1 apg, and 3 rpg), and James Jones (0 ppg, 0 apg, and 0.3 rpg).

The Warriors started out looking unbeatable in the first two games with a 21 point win and a 19 point win. Game three was extremely close as the Cavaliers did have the lead until the last two minutes when Curry and Durant went off and won the game by five points. Game four was a blowout as the Cavs had a historic first quarter scoring 49 points which is the most points scored in a quarter in the Finals. The Cavaliers also went 24–47 from behind the arc, which is also a record for most three pointers made in a game in the Finals. The Cavaliers were rod hot in Game 4 to avoid a sweep. Many people are saying Game 4 was rigged due to the fact that the referees make about $10,000,000 if the series goes to 5. The Warriors did shoot more free throws and the Cavaliers were just playing better so in my opinion if it was rigged the game the Cavaliers would’ve shot more free throws to make sure the Cavaliers had an advantage. It was just a fair and square blowout in which the Cavaliers were the better team that game. Game 5 was a different narrative as the Warriors closed out the half on a 38–19 run and the Warriors won by nine. The Warriors are again your NBA Champions! Now this series may mean a lot for the NBA. A lot of questions many people have include the following:

Is Kevin Durant the best player in the NBA?
Should the Cavaliers explore trade options for J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert, Kevin Love, and Tristan Thompson?
Will the Warriors be able to keep Shaun Livingston, Andre Iguodala, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry?

For the first question, my answer would be no. LeBron has always been the best player on his team, including his rookie year. Durant has arguably been the best player on every team he’s played for, but LeBron has hands down been the best on every team he has played for.

Now just looking at this season, Kevin Durant averaged 25.1 points per game, 1.6 blocks per game, 1.1 steals per game, 4.8 assists per game, and 8.3 rebounds per game. Against Cleveland this year in the regular season, Durant played 38 minutes, had 36 points, had 1 block, had 0 turnovers, had 1 steal, had 15 rebounds (all defensive rebounds), 12/12 from the free throw line, 2/8 from behind the arc, .478% field goal percentage, and 11/23 from the field.

LeBron James on the other hand averaged 26.4 points per game, 8.7 assists per game, and 8.6 rebounds per game so almost a triple-double. Against Golden State this year in the regular season, LeBron played 40 minutes, went 12/22 from the field, .545 field goal percentage, 31 points, 4/8 from behind the arc, 3/7 from the free throw line, 13 rebounds (5 offensive rebounds and 8 defensive rebounds), 5 turnovers, 2 steals, and one block.

Who is better at what category?
Better shooter: Kevin Durant
Better pure scorer: Kevin Durant
Better 3-point shooter: Kevin Durant
Better Free Throw shooter: Kevin Durant
Better Ball Handler: Tie
Better Passer: LeBron James
Better Athleticism: LeBron James
Better Defense: LeBron James
Better Rebounder: LeBron James
More Valuable to Their Team: LeBron James

In the main categories, LeBron James wins with a record of 5–4–1. The main factor that LeBron has over Durant is how valuable he is to his team and his leadership. Just for example, LeBron James led a 50 win Cavaliers team that featured no player besides him averaging more than 15 points. At the time, James was only 22 years old leading that Cavaliers team. James also led 2009 Cleveland team that featured only one player besides him averaging more than 15 points (Mo Williams, 17.8 points per game) to a 66–16 record and first in the Eastern Conference only to be defeated by the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals. When LeBron James left to the Miami Heat for the 2010–2011 season, the Cavaliers record went from 61–21 in the 2009–2010 season to a whopping 19–63 record only losing one player in LeBron James. If that doesn’t show you how valuable James was to the Cavaliers, then I don’t know what is. When Kevin Durant left the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016, they regressed from a record of 55–27 to 47–35. Now I’m not saying that Durant isn’t valuable to his team, but what I’m saying is that LeBron James is one of the if not the most valuable player to his team of all time.

Will the Cavaliers move a lot of pieces to make sure LeBron has help? I believe that their are really only two players that are truly safe on Cleveland’s roster and that is LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. Players that Dan Gilbert will entertain trade talks for include J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert, Kevin Love, and Tristan Thompson. The Cavaliers team payroll for the 2017–2018 season is expected to be like this:

LeBron James: $33,285,709
Kevin Love: $22,642,350
Kyrie Irving: $18,868,625
Tristan Thompson: $16,400,000
J.R. Smith: $13,760,000
Iman Shumpert: $10,300,000
Channing Frye: $7,420,912
Richard Jefferson: $2,500,000
Kay Felder: $1,312,611
Edy Tavares: $1,471,382
Larry Sanders: $1,841,849

The Cavaliers upcoming free agency class includes:

Kyle Korver: 2016–17 salary: $5,239,437
James Jones: 2016–17 salary: $1,551,659
Derrick Williams: 2016–17 salary: $268,029
Deron Williams: 2016–17 salary: $259,626
Dahntay Jones: 2016–17 salary: $5,767
Jordan McRae: 2016–17 salary: $874,636
Andrew Bogut: 2016–17 salary: $242,224

The Cavaliers team payroll is expected to be at $129,803,438 with the players that are on contract for the 2017–18 season. We don’t know what the salary cap for the 2017–18 season will be, but the Cavaliers payroll is approximately supposed to be $27,000,000 over the cap. That means Dan Gilbert will have to lay around $30,000,000 in luxury tax and the Cavaliers will still need to fill their roster! With the inconsistency from both Smith and Shumpert, the Cavaliers will look to trade them first for salary dumps. I believe they will also try and trade a guy like Kevin Love. Just think of a trade like this:

CAVALIERS RECEIVE:
Carmelo Anthony ($26,243,760)

KNICKS RECEIVE:
J.R. Smith ($13,760,000)
Kevin Love ($22,642,350)

The Cavaliers would free up $10,158,590 and the Knicks would take on $10,158,590. This would allow the Knicks to free up some cap space by cutting Joakim Noah and allowing the 7’3 Latvian Kristaps Porzingis to play the center position. If the Knicks were to draft Dennis Smith Jr. with the 7th overall pick, they would be rocking with a lineup like this:

PG: Dennis Smith Jr.
SG: J.R. Smith
SF: Lance Thomas
PF: Kevin Love
C: Kristaps Porzingis

It would give the Cavs a look like this:

PG: Kyrie Irving
SG: Iman Shumpert
SF: Carmelo Anthony
PF: LeBron James
C: Tristan Thompson

In my opinion, both teams improve their lineups and their salary cap situations.
The Cavaliers will still be looking to trade Iman Shumpert. A team that could use shooting and a shooting guard includes the Atlanta Hawks. A trade could go down like this:

HAWKS RECEIVE:
Iman Shumpert ($10,300,000)
2018 1st round pick (Via Blazers)

CAVALIERS RECEIVE:
Malcolm Delaney ($2,500,000)

In this trade, the Cavaliers free up $7,800,000 and get a playmaking backup point guard for LeBron. With these two trades, the Cavaliers have freed up $17,958,590 making their team payroll for the 2017–18 season $111,844,848. I think they will keep Tristan Thompson though. In the offseason they sign Dwyane Wade to a small deal for the starting shooting guard position and the 35 year old defensive specialist, Tony Allen to a small deal. They also sign James Jones to a small deal. The Cavaliers rotation would look like:

PG: Kyrie Irving
SG: Dwyane Wade
SF: Carmelo Anthony
PF: LeBron James
C: Tristan Thompson

PG: Malcolm Delaney
SG: Tony Allen
SF: Richard Jefferson
PF: Channing Frye
C: Larry Sanders

PG: Kay Felder
SG: James Jones
C: Edy Tavares

The Cavaliers improved a lot and they improved their cap situation. This Cavaliers team is better than this past season’s team.




The Warriors are in a different position. Instead of faced with the task to free up cap space, the Warriors are faced with the task of resigning both of their top two players in Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. Both have come out and said they will resign with the Warriors on smaller deals, but we never know. The Warriors team payroll for 2017–2018 season with their players on contract is looking like this:

Kevin Durant (is on a player option but is rumored to opt out and take a pay cut): $27,734,406
Klay Thompson: $17,826,150
Draymond Green: $16,400,000
Kevon Looney: $1,233,840
Damian Jones: $1,312,611
Patrick McCaw: $1,312,611





Their team payroll is set for $65,819,618 with many free agents. Those free agents include:

Stephen Curry: 2016–17 salary: $12,112,359
Andre Iguodala: 2016–17 salary: $11,131,368
Shaun Livingston: 2016–17 salary: $5,782,450
Zaza Pachulia: 2016–17 salary: $2,898,000
David West: 2016–17 salary: $1,551,659
Javale McGee: 2016–17 salary: $1,403,611
Ian Clark: 2016–17 salary: $1,015,696
James Michael McAdoo: 2016–17 salary: $980,431
Matt Barnes: 2016–17 salary: $383,351

They will resign Curry and Durant to deals around $20,000,000. For the sake of it, lets just say they both sign $40,000,000 for a 1+1 deal ($20,000,000 per year). Then they will try and resign everyone but Ian Clark. Clark has developed as a really good player and I don’t think he is willing to take a pay cut for a chance at a third ring. Also, Patrick McCaw was looking good in the Finals and I think the Warriors are willing to have McCaw take Clark’s spot off the bench. Their team payroll would be between $110–120 million, making them only have to pay around $10,000,000 in luxury tax which isn’t bad.

We have gone over what both teams plans are this offseason, so how will the 2017 NBA Finals Affect the NBA. When Kevin Durant announced on the early morning of July 4th, 2016 that he would be signing with the Golden State Warriors, it changed the NBA forever. The Warriors have one of if not the best assembled roster in NBA history. We saw how the LeBron James led Cavaliers stood no chance against the Warriors in the 2017 Finals. With their being an unbeatable NBA team, many players will start to form super teams. One place that could be forming one is in Boston. The Celtics are reportedly frontrunners for free agents Gordan Hayward and Blake Griffin. The Celtics have also been in trade talks with the Chicago Bulls and the Philadelphia 76ers about trading assets, including the 2017 number one pick for Jimmy Butler and maybe the 2017 3rd overall pick too in which they would reportedly use it on Kansas small forward Josh Jackson. Now Boston would have to gut their roster and pay an absurd amount of luxury tax to get Griffin, Butler, and Hayward so it is more likely that they would get one or maybe two of those three star players. Another rumored place where a super team could form is in San Antonio in which Chris Paul would sign to play alongside stars in Kawhi Leonard and Lamarcus Aldridge. The Houston Rockets are also rumored to be trying to sign star point guards in Kyle Lowry and Chris Paul to form a stacked team of their own. This 2017 offseason will be one of the craziest and best we have seen in awhile with teams trying their best to form a super team. Many people are saying that the NBA is “ruined” due to Durant’s choice to sign with the Warriors but I think that it will make the NBA more competitive with more super teams forming and more young teams such as the Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, etc. that are on the rise.


Thank you so much reading my article! Please check out my other articles and our publication! Make sure to comment below your opinion on super teams and the 2017 NBA Finals. Also comment what realistic super team you believe can form!