Cleveland Cavaliers’ general manager David Griffin has a choice, and one that entails lasting implications for the future of this beleaguered city and championship-less franchise.
Kevin Love or Andrew Wiggins—who does he choose?
Will he pursue a course that could yield an immediate haul of Larry O’Brien Trophies, or adhere to a strategy of long-term returns on an unknown investment? Will he create a guaranteed big three of LeBron James, point guard Kyrie Irving and Love now, or bank on the potential of James, Irving and Wiggins some time down the road?
Not the most enviable of choices for a sports GM, especially one in the city of Cleveland.
Bob Finnan of The Morning Journal & The News-Herald reports that Cleveland is “now willing to trade the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 draft.” This comes just days after head coach David Blatt said Wiggins is “not going anywhere” to Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon-Journal (via Bleacher Report).
Of course, mercurial owner Dan Gilbert must sign off on either of the moves. But it’s still Griffin who must orchestrate, submit and present the consequential plan one way or another.
As for said tactic, the questions of who and why remain. Fortunately enough, the answer is clear: trade Wiggins, acquire Love and win now.
Love averaged 17.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists during his lone college season at UCLA. The Consensus All-American led the Pac-10 in offensive and defensive win shares, not to mention ranking No.1 nationally in total rebounds and win shares.
Love then wasted no time making his presence felt in the NBA. He led the league in offensive rebound percentage and nearly averaged a double-double (11.1 PPG and 9.1 RPG) as a rookie. He accomplished both in year two, and by 2010-2011, he netted over 20 points per game, was tops in rebounds and shot 41.7 percent from three-point range.
Suffice it to say, Love was great in college, great when he came into the league and is even better now.
He put it all together to the tune of 26.1 PPG, 12.2 RPG and 4.4 APG in 2013-2014. The 6’10” versatile forward also shot 37.1 percent from distance, 82.1 from the line and ranked third in defensive rebound percentage, player efficiency rating and total win shares (14.3).
Only James and league MVP Kevin Durant rated higher in the latter two categories.
For a guy who isn’t necessarily as skilled as his fellow hardwood stalwarts, no big man is more dynamic as a scorer, rebounder and distributor. He is lethal from both inside and out, is relentless on the glass and is unmatched as an outlet passer.
Wait—who happens to be the best at converting said passes at the rim? Oh, just some guy named LeBron or something.
Speaking of which, let’s now address the glaring basketball elephant in the room: Are Love, James and Irving even a compatible big three in the first place?
Many an analyst would say that all three need the ball in their hands to produce at maximum capacity. To be at their best and most comfortable on the floor, they would argue, each one must have control of the offensive sets and overall flow of the game.
While certainly meriting valid consideration, those arguments don’t take into account the deference that James’ mere presence on the floor would command.
Love wouldn’t take every possible three-pointer or hog the ball down low. And Irving understands that he isn’t in the same point-guard/floor-general echelon, considering his career assist average is lower than what James produced as a point-forward rookie.
Sure, all three posted usage percentages in the top 11 last season. Each one, in other words, used at least 28 percent of his team’s plays while on the court.
But here’s the thing: Despite being the best player in the world, James is by nature completely unselfish with the ball. His teammates will know that soon enough if they don’t already.
Plus, by trading Wiggins, coach Blatt would no longer face the loathsome prospects of a disgruntled Dion Waiters. He could start Waiters at the two, while putting Irving at point and James, Love and Anderson Varejao at the three, four and five.
Blatt, at any point in time, would have the luxury of two ball-handlers (James, Irving), two shooting guards (Waiters, Irving), two power forwards (Love, James) or two centers (Varejao, Love). Throw in a solid supporting cast featuring Tristan Thompson, Mike Miller and James Jones, and the lineup possibilities are endless.
But that’s only possible if Griffin sends Wiggins to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
So coming back full circle, if the Cavs organization wants youth, a defensive stopper, SportsCenter-worthy athleticism and a potentially exciting future, Wiggins stays.
If it craves a legitimate Big Three, Eastern Conference supremacy and a championship-worthy team for the next two to five years, Love finds his way to Cleveland (who already expressed his commitment to signing an extension).
David Griffin—as they say—is on the clock.
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