Let me get ya'll opinions on this...Just left the barber shop and had a looooooong discussion about it.
Is it better that the Cavs lose this series or win it.......long term?
If they win....
They may be more inclined to not get anything back of value for the Haywood contract if they win out. They may just cut his ass and think what they have is enough to win it all the next 3-4 years.
The Cavs may be tougher to negotiate with when free agency starts with the role players. No matter what they give LeBron what he wants. They aren't pressed for money or have any issues dealing with the tax but they may not want to bury themselves with contracts that will be difficult to trade next summer (this may be a reach because of the cap jump).
They'll let Tristan, Shumpert, and Delly set the market for themselves. I'd think they would take all 3 back even if they win because of their age, their business connections, how they were acquired, and what they will mean to the city/organization long term.
The only contract I'd be worried about as far as with future trades is JR. JR is always a wild card and based on history he will eventually wear out his welcome if he can't remain dialed in.
Will they play hard ball with Love? They've actively tried to get him for the past 2 years. They love his game and what he does for the glass and on offense. Would that opinion change if they win out against an historically great team that had home court advantage?
Does Blatt quit? Would he have proven his point that he is a great coach? Would he go back to Israel to be back with his family? Blatt is notorious for winning and leaving.
If They Lose......
I'd think the front office would be all in on this roster HEALTHY.
They would know they have the East on lock for the next 3-4 years. They'd know their young core has what it takes to make it to the end and will have to make some tweaks to the rotation depth. They'll get better as a group. They'd be hungrier. They'll go through a full camp together. It would be a revenge tour.
They've found their defense. They'd realize that they need to improve how they play on the offensive end. More ball movement, More body movement.
Kevin Love's role would evolve. They'd have to start finding more ways of getting him involved to make up the gap against the Western Conference.
They'd take every chance to improve this roster while at the same time keeping the core together (James, Love, Irving, Shumpert, Mozgov, Smith, Thompson, Delly, Varejao, Jones + 1st round pick, free agent signing, and Haywood contract return)
They'd maximize the opportunity to win it the next 3-4 years. They'd get the 3rd PG....and they'd get an actual back up for LeBron.
What do ya'll think?