Although the 2017 NBA Finals has concluded, the excitement of the NBA offseason has surely picked up where they left off. The Cleveland Cavaliers have been rumored to be all over the trade market, trying to acquire another key star that can help guide LeBron James to his fourth championship.
The 2017 NBA Offseason has gained steam rather quickly, with the 2017 NBA Draft providing ample opportunities for emerging trade rumors. The draft is set for Thursday, with all teams gauging possibilities on where they can improve their roster. Superstars such as Jimmy Butler and Paul George have been available via trade, which has caused a chain reaction of trade speculation and rumors.
For teams outside playoff contention, a singular trade could be the first domino that starts a chain of great events. For teams on the cusp of the championship, like the Cavaliers, one trade could solidify that final piece they believe they need to emerge victorious. The Cavaliers have already inquired about the possibility for trading for Butler, which will need to be a three-team trade, via ESPN’s Marc Stein:
The Cavaliers, per league sources, have been working today on assembling multi-team trade scenarios to try to acquire Chicago's Jimmy Butler
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 19, 2017
Butler is the prototypical two-way player needed in the NBA, as a star player than can make crucial plays on both ends of the floor. With the Chicago Bulls confusing situation regarding their front office, a rebuilding seems imminent.
The Cavaliers have also been linked to George, but don’t necessarily have the assets needed to persuade a straight up trade. It seems as though they may need a lottery team to enter the trade discussions, to provide the assets the Bulls would be interested in:
The Cavs obviously have to rope in at least one more team to provide the assets Chicago would surely demand but, sources say, are trying.
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 19, 2017
With players like J.R. Smith and Tristan Thompson receiving hefty deals last offseason, James and the Cavaliers don’t have much room to work with. The Phoenix Suns have many young assets and a crowded backcourt, as a possible turning point that the Bulls may seek.
While talks with the Pacers about George could still be ongoing, it is also possible that Cleveland trying to acquire Butler could be due to the fact that they don’t believe George will stick around long-term. Though the offseason is only one week old, things have heated up very quickly.