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00:00So those pesky Sacramento Kings decided not to keep DeMar DeRozan.
00:05They cut him loose. He's a free agent now.
00:08Dano threw it out yesterday in our headline segment and said,
00:11Do you want him? And I thought, no.
00:15And then I went back and I thought, I was thinking about it yesterday,
00:19and I thought, still don't want him if you're thinking he's starting for you.
00:26So I changed my thought a little bit, Andy.
00:30Okay, why?
00:32Well, DeMar DeRozan can flat out score.
00:35And his game is based around mid-range shots, more so than the outside shots.
00:42He's historically not a good three-point shooter, just 30% in his career.
00:48And last year he shot 32%.
00:50It was one of those, hey, way to go, you were better.
00:53But if you remember him, you know, especially when he was with Toronto,
00:58I mean, his three-point game was just not very good.
01:01And I usually don't harp on the three-point game.
01:05I'll do it in this instance because you have Donovan Mitchell.
01:10You have James Harden, we think.
01:13You're going to have LeBron.
01:15Andy, those are three guys who like to get to the basket a little bit
01:19and who shoot mid-range, which means you're going to need somebody to open it up,
01:25you know, get the spacing a little bit better by being able to stretch the floor
01:28and knock down some threes.
01:30DeRozan's not that guy.
01:32No, so he doesn't fit here.
01:33Well, but here's how he might.
01:36Okay.
01:36And this is where I thought, all right, I'd go for it.
01:41You signed DeMar DeRozan if you're the Cavs.
01:45He has a little history with LeBron, I think, from Olympics.
01:49And you say, hey, look, you're going to be a super sub for us.
01:53You're saying to go along with LeBron.
01:55I just want to make sure not to come in and be a starter.
01:57Right.
01:57You're going to be a super sub for us.
02:00And here's what we're going to do.
02:03When Harden, when Mitchell, when LeBron are off the floor,
02:09and they're going to miss games, you know LeBron's going to play 65 games maybe.
02:15You're going to go out and you're going to pick up the scoring slack for us.
02:19But, you know, you're not going to start.
02:21You're probably not going to be a crunch time player
02:24because I don't think his game fits perfectly with the rest of what would be
02:28the starting five.
02:30But if you bring him off the bench for instant offense, Andy,
02:33you can turn him into your Vinnie Johnson,
02:35that old reference from the Pistons,
02:37and have a guy who can come in and score 15 points a game off the bench.
02:42He's not scored less than 15 points a game since his rookie season.
02:46So he'd have to be willing to accept a role.
02:49But he might be.
02:526'6", can play small forward, could play a little shooting guard.
02:57All right, so CBS Sports also talked about this too.
03:01I'm trying to think of who wrote the story.
03:02It was Sam Quinn wrote this on CBS Sports talking about teams that would be a good fit for him.
03:10And he kind of made it.
03:11Mennegan just looked at me and shook his head.
03:14Who knows the mighty Quinn?
03:16Everybody's going to jump for joy.
03:17Come on with that.
03:18Come on within.
03:19You don't see nothing like the mighty Quinn.
03:22Too bad he's blinded by the light.
03:25Are we done, Manford?
03:28I was going Dylan.
03:29I don't know where you were heading.
03:30I was going.
03:31I guess I could have gone Springsteen too, right?
03:34Yeah.
03:36So CBS came back and said that when you talk about DeMar DeRozan,
03:41he is going to be the first runner-up for LeBron on a couple of teams.
03:46So if you miss out on LeBron, now you have the, what is it, first runner-up.
03:53Yeah, so if Miss Ohio can't fulfill all of her duties as Miss Ohio.
03:56And oftentimes they can't.
03:57Oh, so they bring in the number two?
03:59They go to the bullpen?
04:00Heck yeah.
04:02She's not Miss Ohio.
04:03Bring it in the lefty.
04:05She's Miss Ohio runner-up.
04:06Let's, big round of applause.
04:08But the team that misses out on LeBron,
04:12and they're saying that it's Denver, Miami, Golden State.
04:17Those are all good fits for DeMar DeRozan.
04:20And to get into, they actually talked about, you know, who was missing out.
04:23I could see him with Golden State.
04:25Yeah.
04:25So they said the Cavs, Minnesota, and the 76ers are so heavy on shot creation
04:31at this stage that none would be a fit.
04:34The other three teams all make varying degrees of sense.
04:38And that's what I just said, too.
04:38That was my thinking.
04:39Yeah.
04:41But if they could convince him, hey, here's your role.
04:44Off the bench, you'll be the key to the second unit.
04:49You'll go score points.
04:51See, and this is where, okay, and I said earlier, the longer it goes,
04:57I think the better the chance is that LeBron comes to Cleveland.
05:00All right, so you put pieces together, and then boom, you bring him in.
05:06He has made a lot of money in 17 years.
05:10DeMar DeRozan?
05:11Oh, yeah.
05:11He's one of the more highly paid guys in the league.
05:15$305 million.
05:16Is that good?
05:17Yeah.
05:19Once he got out of his rookie deal, he's been, you know, like $9 million,
05:23$10 million a year ever since.
05:24He jumped in 2015 to 2016.
05:26He jumped from $10 million to $26 million.
05:30Wow.
05:32Wow, man.
05:33Oh, if I just had any athletic ability.
05:37It's so hard to look at numbers when you look at pro athletes and go, wow.
05:42They're so, I mean, it's such a diamond in the rough, though, for all those guys.
05:45How many guys didn't make it compared to the guys you're looking at that made
05:49gigantic money?
05:50Where does he, and again, I think we find ourselves with guys like him and Kaminga
05:57trying to figure out what their role would be in the future because either one of those
06:04guys swings from, you know, maybe more Kaminga, but swings from starter to bench guy, right?
06:12Yeah.
06:13And so you have to ask yourself, where do I want to be, and am I setting myself up for
06:20what
06:20for the rest of my career?
06:24See, that's part of it with a guy like Jonathan Kaminga.
06:26So, I mean, Kaminga's probably still in a spot where he could be a featured player on a team.
06:31Well, Andy, I don't think he's even scratched the surface of what he might be able to be in the
06:38NBA.
06:38But someone's got to give him a shot.
06:40Right, the problem is might be able to be means you may never get there.
06:44And you're not helping yourself by probably being that guy who's going to end up on a team
06:49that may not even, that might be a play-in team or might be an outside-looking-in team.
06:53You may be the best player on that team, but again, if you don't have any help around you
06:57on the outside, you may lose some untapped potential down the road.
07:03It's a weird place to be, isn't it?
07:04You know, the one thing that I think I've picked up from Cav fans who have called our show
07:10and just talking to people, I don't feel this huge sense of urgency from Cav fans to sign LeBron
07:19or even to fill, if he doesn't come back, and again, I think the longer it takes, the more likely
07:26it is
07:27to fill that spot.
07:29And that, to me, is a little weird.
07:31Because if they don't fill that spot, Andy, what are you doing?
07:37You're just keeping your fingers crossed that this team is going to somehow get better from within?
07:42That Jordan Tyson's the answer at the three?
07:46That Naquan Tomlin is going to be the guy who steps up?
07:50Then maybe they are.
07:51But boy, I think that's a, that'd be a tough way for the organization to go.
07:56I also wonder, ask yourself this, and I heard this, you know, don't take it for granted
08:02if LeBron comes back, but I also think Cavalier fans have maybe a little bit of LeBron fatigue
08:08on this too, knowing that we have been up and down.
08:13It's just, sometimes it's been the greatest marriage ever.
08:17Little time there, it was not good.
08:18It was volatile.
08:20We were throwing pans at each other.
08:22That's what counseling's for.
08:23Yeah.
08:23And so, I do think there's some fatigue here for Cavalier fans that might be saying,
08:31all right, if this happens, it happens.
08:34And I'm going to be okay with it because I want to cherish the championship they won.
08:38I don't ever want to think ill of LeBron.
08:41I want to think that, man, look what happened when he came back,
08:44and look at the team they were able to put together to win a championship
08:47and go to all of those NBA finals.
08:49I mean, whether you win or lose, to get there is...
08:53It was really cool.
08:54It was an era, you know?
08:55And for us, it'll always be the Warriors-Cavs era.
08:59But, you know...
09:01Think of the way people think of the Indians teams of the 90s.
09:05Yeah.
09:05You know, I mean, that was late, mid-90s into the early 2000s.
09:10Didn't win a World Series, but boy, it sure was fun.
09:12And it was a great run.
09:14And it was the same thing with the Cavs when LeBron was back for his second run with the Cavs.
09:18It didn't last real long, but it sure was fun.
09:23And now could he be the difference maker if he comes back?
09:26And there's more to it than just his abilities as a basketball player
09:32because they aren't what they used to be, which is only natural.
09:35Does the more to it only apply to Cleveland?
09:38No, I don't think it does, Andy.
09:41What does the more to it mean?
09:43If he goes to another city, it's 100% about winning another championship
09:48and making sure that...
09:49Well, I would think he thinks that here, too.
09:52Although they've said happiness, if the Cavs stunk,
09:57he can be sure he wouldn't be coming back.
09:59Let's just say in the back of his mind...
10:00Wouldn't you think?
10:01Yeah, but...
10:02If the Cavs won 30 games last year, you think the Cavs were even on his radar
10:05because of this being his own town?
10:08Nope, totally agree.
10:09But I also think that if things go sideways, and let's just say it doesn't look...
10:15Although I can't see the Cavs not being a playoff team next year.
10:18That's just not going to happen.
10:20So he's going to be in a position to make the playoffs.
10:23And he understands the whole role of,
10:25all right, well, this happens during the regular season,
10:27so what if we come in as a four or five seed again next year?
10:31We know how to turn it on for the playoffs.
10:33At least he does.
10:33And maybe he needs to teach the guys that are on this team
10:36how to turn it on for the playoffs
10:37so you're not burnt out after the first round.
10:40That might be the greatest gift he could give this team,
10:42you know, and having this team understand how to do that.
10:45I just think that if it ends here, it's okay.
10:48Like, there's no, there's no, I don't think of Jordan in a Wizards uniform.
10:52I think of LeBron in a Cavs uniform.
10:54Bobby Marks was the assistant general manager of the Brooklyn Nets
10:58for a number of seasons.
11:00And he's worked with ESPN for about a decade now.
11:03Bobby's a really smart basketball guy.
11:05He was on the afternoon show,
11:07and he was asked by our guys in the afternoon, Nick and Jonathan,
11:12so LeBron, Cavs, what do you think?
11:16It started with three, with Cleveland, Golden State, and Miami,
11:20and it certainly has expanded.
11:21With Denver and Philly, certainly because of the Jalen Brown trade,
11:26Minnesota is up there.
11:27You know, we hear some other teams, of course, also.
11:29I think we're just kind of in this holding pattern.
11:31People say, well, what do you think?
11:32And I said, I know what you know.
11:33If you're just looking purely basketball, right,
11:36and I know you take the Cleveland part into it as far as them drafting him
11:40and already winning a championship,
11:41I think Cleveland probably has the best fit when you look at their roster,
11:44ready-made roster here.
11:46And I think all the teams have compelling arguments.
11:48When you have Mitchell and Harden and Mobley and Allen,
11:52and then you have the shooters with Maryland and Max,
11:55and Jalen Tyson's still there, of course,
11:57and I think that's probably the most ideal spot here.
12:01But as I said, Miami has a compelling case,
12:03and I think Philadelphia certainly does now.
12:05Not as high on the Golden State fit as probably some other people,
12:09just because I think there's so much work to do with that roster here.
12:11But we'll see.
12:12We'll see what LeBron wants to do.
12:14The thing that stands out to me there is he thought the Cavs' roster
12:18was the best fit for LeBron.
12:22We've been saying that for a year.
12:23We kind of have since all this came out.
12:26Drop him in at three and let him go.
12:29Go.
12:31And what would hurt the Cavs next year?
12:33Or, you know, bench, yeah.
12:36The bench is taking a hit here in the offseason.
12:38Again, I ask you, if they don't sign LeBron, what are they doing?
12:44Well.
12:45It feels like that's the only hook they have in the water right now.
12:49Look at you.
12:50Isn't it?
12:51Didn't know you fished.
12:52Oh, yeah.
12:52Are you kidding?
12:53Did a whole fly fishing series once.
12:55Nice.
12:56Oh, yeah.
12:57That's fabulous.
12:58Did the whistle from Andy?
13:00From your show, man.
13:01It was good.
13:02Did you really?
13:02Did the beginning of it in black and white?
13:05No, you didn't.
13:06Yes.
13:06Oh, that's fabulous.
13:07Did it add a little open?
13:08It was great.
13:08That's fabulous.
13:09The one thing about the Cavs bench, careful now.
13:15Why am I getting it?
13:16Is that?
13:16It's probably, yeah, somebody owns it.
13:19The one thing about the Cavs bench, don't yell at me here.
13:23I can't even whistle anymore.
13:25It's, I think it's a little bit more intriguing than some folks think.
13:33And I say that for this reason and this reason only.
13:37If Tomlin, if Tyson can develop a little bit, then I think you might have something.
13:46Naquan Tomlin's interesting and he's 6'8".
13:50That helps.
13:51Jalen Tyson is feisty as I'll get out.
13:55He's 6'6".
13:58If Schroeder is still here, Schroeder can play.
14:04If Max Struess is still here, Max can play.
14:10And you brought back Thomas Bryant.
14:13That alone, Andy's 10 guys.
14:16You know, if you find somebody to start at the three.
14:19So that's nine guys anyway.
14:22Sam Merrill makes 10.
14:24So you have some guys there.
14:26The question is, are any of those guys going to be really impactful coming off the bench?
14:31I mean, it's okay to have guys.
14:33I mean, Merrill, for sure.
14:36Don't you think?
14:37Sam has his moments where he might not be there.
14:42If he's on, look out.
14:44I mean, that guy can just shoot it.
14:46He might be the best shooter in the NBA today.
14:48But, you know, if he were that on a consistent basis,
14:52he'd probably be making more money and playing more minutes.
14:56But I like him a lot.
14:58But I do think you still need to add some guys.
15:01And I would add some veteran depth,
15:03which is why the DeMar DeRozan thought sticks with me a little bit more now.
15:09You also wonder, you know, we haven't talked about Malik Thomas,
15:13which I think is good because just because he was the Cavs' first draft choice
15:19doesn't mean he was a guy who should have been taken high in the first round
15:24because he wasn't.
15:24You know, he was sitting there in the second round for you.
15:28But I just – there is some work to be done.
15:32But if you don't get LeBron, if he doesn't come here,
15:36if Kaminga doesn't come here,
15:37if you don't sign DeRozan to be your scorer off the bench,
15:42then you're banking on getting better from within, at least right now.
15:47There's a lot of time to go before the season starts.
15:49And then you even have the trade deadline.
15:51You know, I mean, you can get into the season and still change things up.
15:55But right now, just right now, you're banking on the team getting a lot better
16:01from within after losing two guys at a position that you wanted to add guys to
16:06anyway out there on the wing with Keon Ellis and Dean Waite.
16:11So right now, I think it's very fair to say, what's exactly going on here?
16:16I just – just perusing the roster, you know, the guys you're asking to get it done
16:21are all over – I mean, with the exception of Evan, who's 25.
16:26You know, you're all 28, 29 years old.
16:29That's not too old.
16:30No, it's not.
16:31That's – you're in your prime.
16:33Yeah, Thomas is the youngest – Thomas is the only guy in his teens, so that won't
16:37be lasting for long, but you've got a 19-year-old on too.
16:40I just – we're not like – no one –
16:43If he spends more time in Cleveland than – in a Cavs uniform than a charge uniform.
16:48Right.
16:49I'd be stunned.
16:50No, I agree.
16:52I agree.
16:53I just – the age factor on LeBron has to be taken into consideration.
16:58It just does.
16:59But I think a lot of people overlook that.
17:01They just – they want to believe that LeBron's going to play like he's, you know –
17:0535.
17:0632 rather than 42.
17:08And so –
17:10And if you look at what he did last year, you're hard-pressed to think, well, that's –
17:15If there's anybody that can do it, it's him.
17:17I don't even question it.
17:19There's no – there's no other athlete that I would – like, okay, all right, I get it.
17:24He's in his 40s.
17:26He's – you know, he's – he can still play.
17:28He can put – the numbers aren't going to go away.
17:30Well, it's –
17:31You're going to get 20 points a night from him, right?
17:33No.
17:34You don't like so?
17:35I don't think you want that.
17:40See, that's where this is going to have to be if you were to come back.
17:45There would be a buy-in.
17:47And it would either be on James Harden's part or LeBron's part.
17:53You know, you don't – you don't need those guys taking excessive shots just for stats.
18:00And LeBron's averaged 20 points a game every year of his career.
18:04Yeah.
18:04That's why I'm saying it and sitting here going, right?
18:06But can you imagine a game where –
18:08But at some point, Andy, right?
18:11At some point, a good 17 – how about 16 to 18 points a game for LeBron,
18:19playing 25 minutes a game for the most part.
18:22Then you get to the playoffs and you can crank it up if you need to.
18:25That's – I mean, I want to protect the guy.
18:28You bring him back.
18:30He's 42.
18:31His two –
18:33At some point, that hits.
18:35His lowest average points per game.
18:3720.9.
18:38Rookie year in this last year.
18:40Yeah.
18:45At some point, that drops.
18:46I can't see LeBron not being on a team where he's not trying to get –
18:49where he's not getting 20 points a game.
18:51But see, now that's the problem.
18:54You don't need that here.
18:56You – it wouldn't – if it fit in the flow of the offense, that's fine.
19:01But you have James Harden, who you would have to say,
19:04Hey, James, how about 14 and 10?
19:09You know?
19:10Would James Harden be okay with that?
19:13And here's the other thing.
19:15If you're doing all that, what are you going to do with Evan Mobley?
19:18True.
19:19You know?
19:20Well, you've got to get Mobley better.
19:21Well, you want Evan to develop, by God, putting three guys
19:25who are going to score 20 points a game on the team is not the way to do it.
19:28At least we're up to 60.
19:29Still need another 40.
19:31No.
19:32In the NBA today, you need another 60.
19:34I'm trying to be nice.
19:36Trying to – well, so maybe it is there for him.
19:39You kind of think, okay, what do we need from LeBron every game
19:42for him to make this thing work?
19:45Good basketball.
19:46Okay, so define good basketball for LeBron.
19:48I'm not going to put a number on it.
19:51But he needs to be what he's been in the past.
19:5526 minutes per game?
19:56Which is a great team – no, just a great team player.
19:59Andy, he puts up unbelievable individual stats
20:03while being a really good team player.
20:0526 minutes per game would be down seven.
20:07That's tough to do.
20:11That's tough to do.
20:13I'm just trying to do the math as I'm looking at some of these numbers.
20:15I just don't – I mean, can you honestly see a game where LeBron's not going
20:19for 20 every game?
20:21And if you're saying that, does that mean he's not the piece they need
20:25if he needs to have 20 points per game?
20:28We just heard Bobby Mark say –
20:30Yes or no?
20:33This doesn't work if LeBron's 20 points per game.
20:36No, it could work if Harden's 14.
20:40See, this is where, if this were to happen,
20:44the individuals would have to do some soul-searching
20:48and the coaching staff would have to do some selling.
20:51Can that happen?
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