Team Needs
With the untouchables and the finances established, attention turns to what each team needs. The answer is different for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks, as the two franchises are building along conflicting timelines.
Cleveland needs players who can help LeBron James compete for a championship, and New York is looking to execute a legitimate youth movement.
New York is building around big man Kristaps Porzingis, which means the ideal return would be a perimeter player. Frank Ntilikina and Tim Hardaway Jr. form a promising backcourt, but it’s plausible that Ntilikina would be given up in a Kyrie Irving trade.
Irving is essentially the Knicks’ team need in a dream scenario, but if he can’t be acquired, then New York will likely address its perimeter defense..
For Cleveland, James needs defensive-minded players and capable scoring threats around him. Losing Irving would mean the Cavaliers would need a new closer, and even if it were to keep Irving onboard, it has a glaring absence of capable defenders.
Both teams need defense, but Cleveland needs immediate value mixed with long-term potential, and New York is simply looking for the latter.