Waiters, Top 5 pick and #19 is pretty similar value to what the Jazz got in return for Deron Williams (Harris, Favors, and No. 3 pick [Kanter]) and I thought Utah was smart to have the foresight to trade Williams a year before he would become an expiring contract, which is why if we do deal LA, it HAS to be this summer. He won't command nearly as much in value if we were to wait to trade him as an expiring contract.
Barring a Dwight Howard signing, I don't see this team do much more than being one-and-done in the playoffs next season, which means we would have wasted yet another peak year of Aldridge on the roster. We simply need to be realistic about how long rebuilding will take and it would be smart to deal LA to accelerate the process. This is Dame's team, and we need to do whatever it takes to build young talent around him. LA's a great compliment, but we just have too many holes to fill and I fear that by the time they are finally filled, Aldridge will be on the decline.
Now the question becomes, "Does Cleveland have enough to offer?" Unfortunately, this draft is not the ideal draft to trade your All-Star in. I do love the Top 3 picks (Noel, McLemore, Oladipo), there's still good value at 19 (take a flyer on Schroder, Adetokoubo, Gobert?), or package Waiters for a Top 3 pick this year or next. I do like the idea of taking Oladipo and having a weapon like Waiters coming off the bench.
I think a better offer could be made from Orlando if they were interested. What about Nic Vucevic and an unprotected 2014 pick? Too little return? Too much? Either way, it's going to be an exciting offseason.
