Cleveland Cavaliers: Everyone, except LeBron James, is expendable right now by Nathan Beighle

The Cleveland Cavaliers need to re-consider the Milwaukee Bucks’ trade offer for Kyrie Irving. The Bucks must up the ante.

According to John Gambodoro of Arizona Sports 98.7, the Milwaukee Bucks offered the Cleveland Cavaliers promising second-year guard Malcolm Brogdon, the versatile Khris Middleton and a first-round pick for Kyrie Irving. To be fair, Jon Krawczynski reported that the Bucks never made the offer but the point of this piece isn’t to validate whether the offer was made.

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It’s to assess whether or not that offer was good enough for the Cavs or would be good enough for the future.

Suns were never really in on Kyrie but here is a nugget – Milwaukee was close – offered Brogdon, Middleton and a 1st round pick. — John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) August 23, 2017

Obviously, the Cavs went with the Boston Celtics’ offer of Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and the Brooklyn Nets first-round pick in 2018. However, considering the possibility that concerns about Thomas’ hip will cause them to void the trade – if they don’t receive additional compensation – consider the Bucks’ offer.

Admittedly, compared to the haul they’d be getting from the Celtics, the Cavs would be less dynamic.

Thomas is the better offensive player, having down the ability to the best player on the top-seeded team in the Eastern Conference. Averaging 28.9 points per game while shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 37.8 percent from three-point range is no small feat, especially when you’re 5-foot-9.

He’s quick, little, shifty. He slices his way through giants for a nice layup off the glass. Without sacrificing his ability to see through the defense, he was an efficient scorer from all three levels last season.

Having him in place of Irving would allow the team to remain an offensive juggernaut.

Brogdon, the reigning Rookie of the Year, averaged 10.2 points per game on 45.7 percent shooting from the field and 40.4 percent shooting from three-point range. He displayed a high IQ in his rookie season as well, averaging 4.2 assists per game as he consistently found the open man and 1.1 steals per game as he was always there to jump the passing lanes.

At 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds, he’s considerably bigger than Thomas and won’t be as vulnerable to being at a physical disadvantage when teams are cross-matching. He’s also, unlike Thomas, physically suited to guard his own position.

There’s a fit with Brogdon that doesn’t exist with Thomas because of his defensive ability.

As an aside, considering the amount of shooting guard Irving played last season, Brogdon’s size is a better offensive fit in terms of scheme although Thomas has displayed the greater offensive prowess.

Middleton is a better 3-and-D player than Crowder, and a better matchup with the similarly long and slender Kevin Durant. In many ways, his shooting ability is reminescent of Durant and his ability to play three positions (shooting guard and both forward positions) is invaluable when it comes to matching up with the Death Lineup of the Golden State Warriors.

It’s also valuable considering the age and recent health of both J.R. Smith and Kyle Korver, the Cavs’ sharpshooting shooting guards. Behind them on the depth chart is Iman Shumpert, who the Cavs want to move.

Simply put, their first-round pick isn’t as valuable as the Nets’. They’re the better team and will have a lower pick.

With that said, the Cavs need more because of the elite scoring ability they’re sure to be missing and giving up in Irving.

It would take the likes of Jabari Parker to complete the trade.

Parker has displayed offensive prowess early in his career but is also injury-prone so far as we can tell. After playing only 25 games in his rookie season due to a torn left ACL, Parker tore the same ACL last season and only played in 51 games. A third-year pro, Parker played in 76 games his second season. However, on the final year of his deal, Parker may not be worth the money for the Bucks despite averaging 20.1 points per game last season.

For the Cavs, however, he’s as valuable as the first-round pick they could receive from the Nets. Parker has a high basketball IQ and knows how to control his speed, allowing him to consistently create shots for himself and others.

With a quick crossover dribble and a silky smooth jump shot, Parker has the ability to be a scoring machine without relying on his athleticism.

However, asking the Bucks to give up Brogdon, Middleton, Parker and a first-round pick for Irving is too much. An offer of Middleton, Parker and Brogdon in exchange for Irving and big man Edy Tavares should work though, considering what the Celtics were willing to give up for Irving.

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Projected depth chart for the Cavs:

Malcolm Brogdon, Derrick Rose, Jose Calderon

J.R. Smith, Kyle Korver, Iman Shumpert

LeBron James, Khris Middleton, Cedi Osman

Jabari Parker, Jeff Green, Richard Jefferson

Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson, Channing Frye

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Projected depth chart for the Bucks:

Kyrie Irving, Gary Payton II, JeQuan Lewis

Matthew Dellavedova, Rashad Vaughn, Sterling Brown

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Tony Snell, D.J. Wilson

Mizra Teletovic, Thon Maker, Spencer Hawes

John Henson, Greg Monroe, Edy Tavares

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For the Cavs, this means that Parker is the newest member of the Big Three and, because of the position he plays, a potential replacement for LeBron James should the Cavs’ leader choose to leave the Land next summer. Brogdon will likely start over Derrick Rose because of his shooting ability and impact on the defensive end. However, he won’t be relied upon to be the primary playmaker as a point guard as that’s James’ role and he won’t be relied upon to replace Irving’s scoring as that’s Parker’s role.

He simply needs to make the right plays on offense and prevent as much perimeter penetration as possible on defense.

Middleton and Rose will both be Sixth Man of the Year candidates. Middleton because of the versatility he provides and his soft shooting touch. Rose because he’s still one of the best downhill point guards in the game and a natural scorer, excelling at getting to the rim and finishing.

The Bucks will have two members of their Big Three in Irving and Antetokounmpo, players that can legitimately be the best players at their position in a couple of seasons. The way they compliment each other, with Irving’s effortless scoring ability and the Greek Freak’s unique athleticism, will look similar to what the Cavs had with Irving and James. The defensive ability of the athletic John Henson, the scoring ability of Greg Monroe and both the potential and versatility of Thon Maker give them pretty interesting pieces in their frontcourt.

Pieces that give them a chance to be contenders for the Eastern Conference Finals.

On paper, this looks like a deal that works for both teams. Would it be enough for Cavs general manager Koby Altman or Bucks general manager Jon Horst?

*All stats referenced from www.basketball-reference.com