**NOTE: The news clips and articles listed don't necessarily reflect the views or beliefs of the Cleveland Cavaliers or their Basketball Operations staff, partners, or sponsors.**
League's new guidelines might force Cavs to revisit how they rest their stars
Author: Jason Lloyd
Publication: The Athletic
On at least two separate occasions in recent months, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has quietly made clear he does not agree with the Cavaliers’ approach to resting their stars. Now the league is trying to at least remove any obstacles that hinder teams’ best players from participating in the marquee Saturday night matchups.
Whether or not it works remains to be seen. The league didn’t change any rules prior to this season, they just offered guidelines that are expected to be followed, including not resting multiple stars on the same night and only resting guys at home instead of during road games. In light of the commissioner’s requests, Cavs coach Tyronn Lue told The Athletic recently he isn’t sure yet how he’ll handle the rest debate this year.
“I understand the rules and I’ll try to abide by them with how we rest guys,” Lue said. “But if a guy’s body is not feeling great, we can’t take that chance. I’m going to do everything I can to abide by the rule.” - CLICK HERE to read full story.
Suns willing to part ways with Eric Bledsoe, Dragan Bender and first-rounder for Kyrie Irving
Author: Vikram Bodas
Publication: Yahoo Sports
Phoenix Suns general manager Ryan McDonough would part ways with Eric Bledsoe, Dragan Bender and a first-round pick in a deal for disgruntled Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving, per Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN.
Bledsoe, who has battled injury issues throughout his 7-year NBA career, would offer the Cavaliers a decent replacement for Irving’s scoring ability and playmaking. The 27-year-old combo guard averaged a career high 21.1 points per game last year in 66 contests.
As far as win-now assets, Bledsoe is the only part of this potential deal that would help the Cavaliers win next year. Bender was the No. 4 overall selection in the 2016 draft. The 19-year-old Croatian power forward is certainly oozing with potential, but most talent evaluators view him as a project. The potential pick that the Suns would send to Cleveland is the Heat’s 2018 top-seven protected first-rounder. - CLICK HERE to read full story.
Patience Is a Virtue: 5 Players Cavs Can Target by Waiting to Trade Kyrie Irving
Author: Zach Buckley
Publication: Bleacher Report
The Cleveland Cavaliers don't have to trade Kyrie Irving on his time or to his preferred destinations.
And, not to extinguish any fire takes out there, but they don't need to move him at all.
While this seems likely to end with Irving getting his wish via a ticket out of LeBron James country, the Cavs can't forget they're in control. They have a 25-year-old All-Star to sell on the trade market. That's still an advantageous position, even if it's not the one they would have picked and not as strong as it would have been had the trade request never leaked. - CLICK HERE to read full story.
More Daily Press Links:
- (8/5) Trading Kyrie Irving is far easier said than done for the Cavaliers Washington Post
- (8/5) Report: Suns willing to trade Eric Bledsoe, Dragan Bender, first-round pick for Kyrie Irving Pro Basketball Talk
- (8/5) Pistons express interest in Cavs star Irving Amico Hoops
- (8/5) LeBron James laughs off haters in new workout video; Is it directed at Kyrie Irving? Cleveland.com