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6 moves the Cleveland Cavaliers must make this offseason to beat the Warriors in 2018

By Nick Dudukovich

Jun 12, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue talks with forward LeBron James (23) against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter in game five of the 2017 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 12, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue talks with forward LeBron James (23) against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter in game five of the 2017 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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February 2, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) moves the ball against Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
February 2, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) moves the ball against Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Target Blake…and if that doesn’t work CP3

The Clippers could be at crossroads with Blake Griffin later this summer when the former No. 1 overall pick decides to opt out of his current contract.

What incentive would the Clippers have to make this trade?

L.A. risks the possibility of losing Griffin, so Tristan Thompson would, at the very least, provide some type of compensation.  The Clippers will probably ask for Kevin Love because they’d need some offensive fire power in return. ButI’m the Cavs, I try to keep Love because Cleveland has to build a Big 4 of its own to compete with Warriors.

Griffin is in-line to sign a five-year $175 million contract if he opts out, so the Cavs would probably have to kick in a J.R. Smith and his $13.7 million contract if they can get the Clippers to take Thompson.

There’s also the Chris Paul rumors swirling around. He and LeBron James are buddies and everyone is always looking for an opportunity to pair the duo up. Paul is rumored to be staying in LA.

But for the sake of constructing a blog post, let’s say he’s on the block. Paul’s 32, but he’d make the Cavs better than they are now. His addition would enable the Cavs to start a true point guard.

Paul’s better defensively than Kyrie Irving and would actually allow the Cavs to get into an offense.

That might seem like a knock on Kyrie Irving, but it’s really not. Irving’s more an attack guard. He thrives at setting up shots for himself, and as we are constantly reminded by one amazing finish after the other, that’s not entirely a bad thing.

This is borderline sacrilege in Cleveland, but what about using Irving to acquire Paul?

To get Paul, the Cavs have to give up something, and at this point, the argument can be made that Kevin Love is a better complement to LeBron James.

Long term, it’s a bad trade. Irving is only 25. He continues to leave us in awe with each amazing finish around the rim.

But the Cavs need to look at things from the perspective of James in his prime and the window of opportunity to win a championship.

Paul will make $24 million next season before hitting free agency in the summer of 2018. He can opt out of his contract this summer.

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