Cleveland Cavaliers: Consider Tristan Thompson more in trade talks for Paul George

The Cleveland Cavaliers trading away a major piece to their team is not the way to go to improve their roster.

To get back to the NBA finals and win it all again, more talent is needed on the Cleveland Cavaliers roster to beat contenders such as the Golden State Warriors. With talk of them trying to add Indiana Pacers forward Paul George as a possibility, why stay neutral in their desire to change their roster?

Understandably, Indiana and the rest of the NBA would want an attractive trade return if they were to give up their best player. The circumstances the Pacers are in though does not leave them much to work with.

They, along with everyone in the NBA knows George is not going to stay there long-term. As a result, any and all trade returns are not going to be the level that they would expect had George been under contract for the foreseeable future.

That is why Indiana should get what they can, rather than shooting for the stars. The Pacers are not going to get forward LeBron James, point guard Kyrie Irving, or any other top five-10 player in the NBA for George.

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Lots of people seem to like the idea of them giving up George to the Los Angeles Lakers for their second overall pick. George is very good, but for L.A.’s sake, that may not be the best move. In addition, moving on from power forward/center Kevin Love does not help Cleveland’s chances either.

The “Big Three” must stay in tact, which leads to my next point. Despite Cleveland’s lack of flexibility in terms of assets via trade, what they do have can help other teams. Love can stretch the floor, had his best season as a Cavalier (not even speaking in terms of stats either as it was clear he finally looked comfortable in NE Ohio).

Meanwhile, when he played, especially in the playoffs and the finals, Love made the most of his time. Simultaneously and before the playoffs began, power forward/center Tristan Thompson struggled to be a consistent player.

Sure, Thompson had his moments (far and few between though) and still has potential. Yet, he is not a difference-making player.

By swapping Love for George, there is not guarantee the roster will be better. However, by moving Thompson in a deal for George, more flexibility would be given to the Cavaliers’ roster.

Even if Indiana is not sold on Thompson, he could be moved elsewhere via a third team. In such a deal, Indiana would need a piece to help replace George. That answer could be Cavaliers’ stashed overseas asset and promising small forward Cedi Osman.

At the end of the day, market value is not going to be possible in any George trade. Although other teams have or will offer deals for him, the best option lies in Cleveland. From Thompson and Osman, and maybe others such as guards J.R. Smith or Iman Shumpert to make the money work involving a third team, the possibilities are out there.

Would you rather have James, Love, Irving, and George, or James, Irving, Thompson, and George? There is no doubt in my mind it is the first option. If Cleveland were to land George, between LBJ, Irving, and the winning atmosphere, George would not leave for the unknown in free agency next offseason.

If Love were to be dealt in a George trade, I do not care who else Cleveland adds. Moving on from Love would keep them at status quo or possibly dropping from the second team to the third or fourth in the NBA pending other transactions.

Thompson could potentially do more elsewhere, but at least he is a known commodity. He is not going to be a top-10 player, but he and center Myles Turner would be a good foundation in Indiana. Thus, both the Pacers and the Cavaliers in such a deal.

Next: KLove to Philly?

The Pacers could add more now and in the future if they added a third team. Regardless, either way, adding any talent is better than losing their franchise player for nothing.

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