What would plan A be for you? And you can even elaborate a little further and go, what would plan B be if that initial plan isn't working?

I think plan a needs to be, some of those minutes are going to be Peyton Watson.

Some of those minutes are going to be make one Tomlin.

And I think Kenny Atkinson is a coach that wants to have a bigger rotation, right? I think he wants to play nine or 10 guys.

He's never going to be a guy in the regular season.

Certainly.

It's just like, yeah, I'm cool playing eight tonight.

How do you feel the Cavs are going to kind of allocate those reps, playmaking responsibilities, however you want to frame it?

And until next time, I'll see you guys later.

I think that's a huge reason why they won.

I thought that that moment in Game 5 is the moment of Evan Mobley's career.

I thought he was so good.

And defensively, I thought he was really, really good too, which I kind of think is something that people take for granted and just come to expect because he's that caliber of defensive player.

I do want to shift gears to James Harden a little bit because I think it's fair to say he had a very up-and-down series.

First two games in Detroit were a complete disaster.

Do you feel better about your Cavs winning a championship this upcoming year, not after these past playoffs? Or do you think it's going to be even tougher?

Just what were your overall thoughts? And we'll get into them a little bit more deep, but just what were your overall thoughts coming out of that series about the Pistons after watching them?

There were certainly some things that surprised me, some things that didn't surprise me, like going into that series.

And I think going into last season, like I have always been somebody who has been high on Cade Cunningham and not just because we share a last name.

So I was doing NBA draft stuff for complex the year that Cade got drafted.

That was also for Cavs fans, the year that Evan Mobley got drafted and Jalen green was in that draft.

And like those three guys were thought of as the three best players, like maybe not that they could go in any order, but yeah, I was much higher on Cade than I was Jalen green and on Evan Mobley and Scottie Barnes went forth in that draft.

Like I just thought Cade was going to be a certifiable superstar at some point in his NBA career.

Were you at all shocked that despite that, the Pistons were still able to force seven games with Cade maybe not having the best, most efficient series?

Huntington Bank is member FDIC.

It is really good value.

Like it is a great contract.

I think that that's always going to be kind of a what if because I do think it had that pick landed in the top four.

That's something that, OK, the Pacers are obviously going to be really, really good or should be really, really good if they stay healthy this upcoming season.

That was something that I think could have maybe expanded the runway had they been able to hold on to that pick.

And I think it's always a disappointing thing.

So it's hard to say.

I don't know if they are in complete agreement with the fan base that it comes in a way maybe it should, or maybe they think it should come in the way the Pistons fans want it to come.

The Tyler Hero stuff was interesting.

I know you and I had both heard he was going to Detroit, and I think that Milwaukee kind of did what Milwaukee has done pretty frequently throughout the Giannis stuff, which was they started to drag their feet a little bit, and I think that's part of the reason why he's in Milwaukee and not Detroit, but that was something that You and I both had kind of heard was done in June before free agency opened up.

So for them to kind of miss there, like I do understand some of those things.

And this is not necessarily all on Detroit.

But then the other big story this summer with the Pistons has been Jalen Dern because he's a restricted free agent.

Obviously, restricted free agency is very, very complicated thing.

I think he could get there and be a guy that just steals an MVP one year.

Did you think that that sort of distribution of how those two were being used, you know, who's doing what, was successful and it's how they're gonna approach it heading into this next season?

I think it's hard to argue with what the results were, right? Like, they were a really good-- They were a much better team after James Harden arrived than before James Harden arrived.

And, and Harden did arrive in the midst of one of the best stretches of basketball that the Cavs played all season.

Um, but I also think that they kind of recognized that what Donovan was doing, while he was awesome, kind of was something that you didn't want him to have to sustain, where there was kind of too much on his plate, where he was having to carry this roster on a night in, night out basis.

Because there were so many injuries, right? Like, this was a group that did not have its full rotation available for a single regular season game last year.

I think the first time that its entire roster was available was game three against the Toronto Raptors in the first round, which winning 52 games and that being the reality of the situation, I think is an impressive thing.

But I think part of it was they needed Donovan Mitchell to not have to carry that load, and I do think that giving the ball to James Harden more is something that helped Donovan in that area.

So what is, what is the expectation of what Peyton Watson brings to this Cavs team for this year?

Right

... kind of what this group is.

And you add James Harden into that, who you can say whatever you want about James Harden, and he w- is who he is at this point, certainly in the post-season, but he's an incredibly durable regular season player that has been awesome really his entire career from October until April.

Like, there are very few things to complain about there.

So I still look at this Cavs team and say, you know, I don't, again, I don't think that they're gonna win, um, the title this year, at least not as of right now.

I think that there are a bunch of teams that I might pick to beat them in the post-season, but I also think they're gonna finish with one of the four best records in the Eastern Conference and have home court advantage in the first round because I think that the floor for them is like 48 wins, which is what happened the year Donovan only played 50 games.

And I just think with that, like you're, at least give yourself a chance.

Mm.

Like it just, just not going the rest of my life thinking like, "All right, will they ever get it done?" And there was like, my whole life it was like they were never close, and even though they've been so competitive the last few years, them actually doing it almost kinda snuck up on me.

Yeah.

It's something that I think that feeling will never truly go away.

You know, I speak from somebody who 10 years ago won what I think a lot of people consider to be one of the most important or influential titles in basketball history, considering the, the ripple effects that them winning had on the league with Kevin Durant going to the Warriors and all that stuff.

Like that, that feeling is never, it's gonna wear off a little bit, I can tell you, but it's never truly going to go away.

Um, but I, I do wanna kinda move to page forward.

You know, we don't have to bask too much about the Knicks winning the title.

Mm-hmm.

What's fact, what's fiction as far as what you've been able to gather about the thought process or the perception of the moves that the Cavaliers did make in advance of LeBron making his decision?

The Darius Garland stuff to me really sticks out because Darius Garland is represented by Rich Paul and Clutch.

That is something that I look at and say, yeah, of course.

LeBron's camp is going to talk up the guy that they also represent.

So, like, I look at that and I hear it, and like, hey, I get it.

Darius Garland, when he's fully healthy, is a nice player and a guy that guys would want to play with, certainly during the regular season, because Shoney can be an awesome player in the regular season.

The postseason, unfortunately for Darius and the Cavs at times, has been a different story.

And what I mean by that is, Jared Allen, could they be moving him now by the deadline? What do you think is next for the Cavaliers as they try to construct a roster that can go further than they did last year?

What's fact, what's fiction as far as what you've been able to gather about the thought process or the perception of the moves that the Cavaliers did make in advance of LeBron making his decision?

The Darius Garland stuff to me really sticks out because Darius Garland is represented by Rich Paul and Clutch.

That is something that I look at and say, yeah, of course.

LeBron's camp is going to talk up the guy that they also represent.

So, like, I look at that and I hear it, and like, hey, I get it.

Darius Garland, when he's fully healthy, is a nice player and a guy that guys would want to play with, certainly during the regular season, because Shoney can be an awesome player in the regular season.

The postseason, unfortunately for Darius and the Cavs at times, has been a different story.

And what I mean by that is, Jared Allen, could they be moving him now by the deadline? What do you think is next for the Cavaliers as they try to construct a roster that can go further than they did last year?

What's fact, what's fiction as far as what you've been able to gather about the thought process or the perception of the moves that the Cavaliers did make in advance of LeBron making his decision?

I did Darius Garland stuff to me really sticks out because Darius Garland is represented by Rich Paul and clutch.

Like that is something that I look at and say, yeah, of course.

LeBron's camp is going to talk up the guy that they also represent.

So, like, I look at that and I hear it, and like, hey, I get it.

Darius Garland, when he's fully healthy, is a nice player and a guy that guys would want to play with, certainly during the regular season, because Shoney can be an awesome player in the regular season.

The postseason, unfortunately for Darius and the Cavs at times, has been a different story.

And what I mean by that is, Jared Allen, could they be moving him now by the deadline? What do you think is next for the Cavaliers as they try to construct a roster that can go further than they did last year?

I don't know about it in 10 years if people are going to still hate him, but I think it might change some people's feelings here in the short term.

I would agree with that because I think that the Cavs offseason has kind of become built around this.

I went into the offseason thinking, no, it'd be nice for the Cavs if they got LeBron.

It would be a really positive thing, but it wouldn't be the biggest necessity in the world.

But here we are, again, three weeks later, and the only moves the Cavs have made this offseason has been drafting Malik Thomas, which looks really, really good after Summer League, signing Thomas Bryant to a minimum contract, and giving Donovan Mitchell this massive extension.

Like, when that has been your offseason, and you needed to go into this summer getting better, which the Cavs have not done, And I know that Larry Nance Jr. and Keon Ellis were not exactly factors in the postseason, but you did lose a starter from that team that went to the conference finals this offseason in Dean Wade.

And you don't get better? Like, that's a problem.

so if that decision comes down today and it's cleveland what's the first move that you think kobe and do we have another gm yet is uh brandon weems still unofficial at this point uh what is the next move

Do we have another GM yet? Is, uh, Brandon Weems still unofficial at this point? Uh, what is the next move?

Well, I do think Brandon Weems will be the GM no matter what happens with LeBron.

I think that should be the case.

And, um, like, if that does happen, that's not something that is because of LeBron, and I think that's, uh, something the Cavs should make clear.

I don't know if that will happen, though.

Um, but I think that the next move would be trying to add another wing, and most likely my guess would be a Jarrett Allen trade because the Cavs are...

And, like, it's...

the Boston Celtics gotten better?

I don't know about it in 10 years if people are going to still hate him, but I think it might change some people's feelings here in the short term.

I would agree with that because I think that the Cavs offseason has kind of become built around this.

I went into the offseason thinking, no, it'd be nice for the Cavs if they got LeBron.

It would be a really positive thing, but it wouldn't be the biggest necessity in the world.

But here we are, again, three weeks later, and the only moves the Cavs have made this offseason has been drafting Malik Thomas, which looks really, really good after Summer League, signing Thomas Bryant to a minimum contract, and giving Donovan Mitchell this massive extension.

Like, when that has been your offseason and you needed to go into this summer getting better, which the Cavs have not done before, Seeing and I know that Larry Nance Jr. and TNLs were not exactly factors in the postseason, but you did lose a starter from that team that went to the conference finals this offseason and Dean Wade and you don't get better like that's a problem.

And I do think that we've gotten to the point.

so if that decision comes down today and it's cleveland what's the first move that you think kobe and do we have another gm yet is uh brandon weems still unofficial at this point uh what is the next move

What are Larry Nance's best skills?

So you're right.

He's not the guy that he once was.

He was in a dunk contest before.

That's not who he is anymore.

I think his best skill from a basketball perspective might be his IQ.

And I know that that's maybe not exactly the answer you're looking for because you're like, oh, shooting or rebounding or defense.

in the background it's so obvious exactly what I'm saying okay two people verbatim when I asked them about Larry Nance said everyone loves him like as a human and person did you get that same impression and what makes him such a good valued teammate worth investing in even as his on-court impact fades a little bit

What do you think of the fit with the Cavs?

I think it's fine.

I think the way that the Cavs are being talked about nationally has kind of gotten insane.

Would he be a really good fit in Denver from a basketball perspective? Yes.

Him and Nikola Jokic would be incredible to watch play together.

Would he be a good fit in Minnesota? Yeah, he would be.

I think that fit's become a little bit overrated.

Where do you end up on this?

What do you think of the fit with the Cavs?

I think it's fine.

I think the way that the Cavs are being talked about nationally is kind of gotten insane, right? Like, would he be a really good fit in Denver from a basketball perspective? Yes.

Him and Nikola Jokic would be incredible to watch play together.

Would he be a good fit in Minnesota? Yeah, he would be.

I think that fit's become a little bit overrated.

But there is nothing wrong with the way that he would fit in Cleveland.

Danny Cunningham joining us right now talking some NBA so this is what I think is going to happen if they get LeBron I do think they're probably going to end up trading Jared Allen and trying to work a little more spacing into their offensive flow what do you think happens

What do you think of the fit with the Cavs?

I think it's fine.

I think the way that the Cavs are being talked about nationally has kind of gotten insane, right? Like, would he be a really good fit in Denver from a basketball perspective? Yes.

Him and Nikola Jokic would be incredible to watch play together.

Would he be a good fit in Minnesota? Yeah, he would be.

I think that fit's become a little bit overrated.

But there is nothing wrong with the way that he would fit in Cleveland.

What do you think happens?

Hmm.

Um, and I, I know that there are a lot of different ways to look at this.

And listen, I'm here, I cover the Cavs.

I've watched Cavs basketball my entire life.

Basically since LeBron entered the league, like, that was kind of my introduction to the NBA because I'm 32.

And the fact that he is still the biggest story in free agency so many years later, like, that's kind of wild that this is where we're at here.

Um, but I think this is the best story.

[laughs] Interesting.

What do you make of where the Cavs are right now and how eager Kobe Altman would be once maybe another domino like Jalen Brown comes could be added to the fire?

I do think the Cavs need to be aggressive in making this team better this summer.

And listen, they're not going to trade Donovan Mitchell.

They're going to re-sign James Harden to a new contract, and it certainly seems like they're not going to trade Evan Mobley.

So that tells me that everybody else needs to be on the table, and I think that needs to include Jared Allen, who's making $28 million this upcoming year.

which I think is a benefit to trading him because he's definitely a player that's worth that.

But now it also expands the pool of players that you can use or that you could get back for Jared Allen as opposed to when he was making $20 million, and that kind of was a small pool of guys.

Is it acceptable to go into next season with the same team understanding that there might be moves at the trade deadline? Or is that just going to be completely off the table for Cavs fans?

What do you make of where the Cavs are right now and how eager Kobe Altman would be once maybe another domino like Jalen Brown comes could be added to the fire?

I do think the Cavs need to be aggressive in making this team better this summer.

And listen, they're not going to trade Donovan Mitchell.

They're going to re-sign James Harden to a new contract, and it certainly seems like they're not going to trade Evan Mobley.

So that tells me that everybody else needs to be on the table, and I think that needs to include Jared Allen, who's making $28 million this upcoming year.

which I think is a benefit to trading him because he's definitely a player that's worth that.

But now it also expands the pool of players that you can use or that you could get back for Jared Allen as opposed to when he was making $20 million, and that kind of was a small pool of guys.

Is it acceptable to go into next season with the same team understanding that there might be moves at the trade deadline? Or is that just going to be completely off the table for Cavs fans?

what do you make of where the Cavs are right now and how eager Kobe Altman would be once maybe another domino like Jalen Brown could be added to the fire?

I do think the Cavs need to be aggressive in making this team better this summer.

And listen, they're not going to trade Donovan Mitchell.

They're going to re-sign James Harden to a new contract.

And it certainly seems like they're not going to trade Evan Mobley.

So that tells me that everybody else needs to be on the table.

And I think that needs to include Jared Allen, who's making $28 million this upcoming year, which I think is a benefit to trading him because he's definitely a player that's worth that.

Is it acceptable to go into next season with the same team understanding that there might be moves at the trade deadline? Or is that just going to be completely off the table for Cavs fans?

How are you gonna handle that?" It's, it's gonna be a tough spot.

I could, and I think this is a really, really interesting point as far as leverage goes.

Because like you mentioned, I- Texas Tech is favored to win the Big 12.

Texas Tech won the Big 12 last year.

They dominated BYU in the two games that they matched up against each other, both in the regular season and in the conference championship game.

Um, I believe, and I've not looked to see if this had been updated, but last I had seen, the win total for Texas Tech was the h- tied for the highest in the country with Notre Dame at 11 and a half, basically saying, "You're going to go undefeated." And partially I think Notre Dame because Notre Dame is going to be great this year.

Texas Tech's going to be very good and also plays absolutely nobody outside of BYU, I believe.

Which current NBA player best represents what Jeremiah Love is as an athlete and just a game-changing star?

LeBron 3.0, and in your mind, is it something that does have to involve somebody like J.A. going to the Lakers? It's hard

to put a percentage on LeBron coming back.

I think it's a very real possibility, though.

I think that the Cavs should go into this offseason having LeBron James on their mind and having him be somebody that can come back in.

I mentioned trading Jared Allen for a starting small forward.

I don't know if LeBron James is the guy that that's going to happen for, and I do think that a sign-and-trade with...

A 41-year-old coming back to Cleveland would be a little bit of a difficult thing because there are certain contractual stipulations that need to be met with the sign-in trade, and 41-year-olds you don't necessarily want on super long-term deals, and we don't know how much longer LeBron's going to play for.

Could that be their ticket out of the second, second apron? And could you explain to our fans how that's going to work?

going to the Lakers? Um,

I, it's hard to put a percentage on LeBron coming back.

I think it's a very real possibility though.

Um, like I think that the cab should go into this off season, having LeBron James on their mind and having him be somebody that come back in, you know, I mentioned trading Jared Allen for a starting small Ford.

I don't know if LeBron James is the guy that that's going to happen for.

And I do think that a sign in trade with, uh, you know, a 41-year-old coming back to Cleveland would be a little bit of a difficult thing because there are certain contractual stipulations that need to be met with the sign-in trade and 41-year-olds you don't necessarily want on super long-term deals and we don't know how much longer LeBron's going to play for.

I think LeBron should be in the cards for Cleveland.

they're probably