Outside of the number eight pick in the upcoming NBA draft, Cleveland in their current iteration is pretty much stuck in the mud with massive contracts. And they probably aren't going to strike gold and draft a Donovan Mitchell.
That means if LeBron James stays, the talent of next year's supporting cast is unlikely to improve by much.
Does anyone, even the most diehard Cleveland fan, want that? As remarkable as it was to watch LeBron carry a team on his back, next year's Eastern Conference is going to be stronger, and LeBron will be a year older (if that eventually starts to matter).
But losing LeBron can work out a lot better than in 2010.
Already holding the number eight pick, the Cavs could execute a sign and trade for LeBron (as they did in 2010, though most forget he was actually traded when he first left the Cavs). That could land them another lottery pick, or Lonzo Ball, or Markelle Fultz. Perhaps even one of those and an additional late draft pick or two.
They could then trade Kevin Love for another lottery pick/young player. Finally, and most importantly, they waive J.R. Smith, and eat his contract.
Maybe not all of that is feasible, but it seems reasonable. LeBron's absence would still hurt, but there would certainly be a lot of excitement around Cleveland if the 2018-2019 opening roster looked something like:
PG
1. Markelle Fultz/Lonzo Ball (acquired via trade)
2. George Hill
3. Jordan Clarkson
SG
1. Trae Young (drafted with 8th pick)
2. Kyle Korver
SF
1. Cedi Osman
2. Some veteran they take on (Chandler Parsons?) as part of a contract dump in a trade
PF
1. Miles Bridges/Mohamed Bamba/Michael Porter Jr./Jaren Jackson Jr. (acquired via trade)
2. Larry Nance
C
1. Tristan Thompson
2. Ante Zizic
Damn.
Outside of the Warriors, Rockets, Celtics, 76ers, and a few other teams who dream of striking it rich in free agency, most fanbases would probably swap that roster out for the one they currently cheer for.
Maybe flipping Love for a lottery pick isn't feasible, but a competent front office should be able to turn LeBron James, Kevin Love, and the number eight pick into three exciting young pieces who can grow together.
And the Cavs would add another lottery pick in the 2019 draft, assuming they did their jobs and missed the playoffs next season. By the 2019-2020 season, they could easily be a playoff contender with a whole lot of upside.
Not a bad consolation prize for saying farewell to The King.
That means if LeBron James stays, the talent of next year's supporting cast is unlikely to improve by much.
Does anyone, even the most diehard Cleveland fan, want that? As remarkable as it was to watch LeBron carry a team on his back, next year's Eastern Conference is going to be stronger, and LeBron will be a year older (if that eventually starts to matter).
But losing LeBron can work out a lot better than in 2010.
Already holding the number eight pick, the Cavs could execute a sign and trade for LeBron (as they did in 2010, though most forget he was actually traded when he first left the Cavs). That could land them another lottery pick, or Lonzo Ball, or Markelle Fultz. Perhaps even one of those and an additional late draft pick or two.
They could then trade Kevin Love for another lottery pick/young player. Finally, and most importantly, they waive J.R. Smith, and eat his contract.
Maybe not all of that is feasible, but it seems reasonable. LeBron's absence would still hurt, but there would certainly be a lot of excitement around Cleveland if the 2018-2019 opening roster looked something like:
PG
1. Markelle Fultz/Lonzo Ball (acquired via trade)
2. George Hill
3. Jordan Clarkson
SG
1. Trae Young (drafted with 8th pick)
2. Kyle Korver
SF
1. Cedi Osman
2. Some veteran they take on (Chandler Parsons?) as part of a contract dump in a trade
PF
1. Miles Bridges/Mohamed Bamba/Michael Porter Jr./Jaren Jackson Jr. (acquired via trade)
2. Larry Nance
C
1. Tristan Thompson
2. Ante Zizic
Damn.
Outside of the Warriors, Rockets, Celtics, 76ers, and a few other teams who dream of striking it rich in free agency, most fanbases would probably swap that roster out for the one they currently cheer for.
Maybe flipping Love for a lottery pick isn't feasible, but a competent front office should be able to turn LeBron James, Kevin Love, and the number eight pick into three exciting young pieces who can grow together.
And the Cavs would add another lottery pick in the 2019 draft, assuming they did their jobs and missed the playoffs next season. By the 2019-2020 season, they could easily be a playoff contender with a whole lot of upside.
Not a bad consolation prize for saying farewell to The King.
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