James’ concerns about the Cavaliers’ direction are growing while his free agency looms next summer.
Once again, the Cavaliers are at the center of the NBA’s offseason — and it isn’t a good thing. LeBron James has growing concerns about how the Cavaliers’ offseason and direction, according to a report from USA Today’s Jeff Zillgitt.
Things in Cleveland have been tumultuous, to say the least. The Cavaliers went through the NBA draft and free agency without a full-time general manager after letting David Griffin’s contract expire without an extension. They later were rejected by Chauncey Billups, their top target for the team president job.
That instability hurt the Cavaliers. Cleveland came just shy of acquiring Jimmy Butler via trade before trade talks broke down and the Bulls moved on, according to Zillgitt.
Cleveland’s only offseason moves were to sign Jose Calderon and Jeff Green to minimum contracts, and bring over 2015 second-round pick Cedi Osman from Turkey.
James was fourth in this year’s MVP voting after averaging 26.4 points along with career highs in 8.7 assists and 8.6 rebounds per game. With an option in his contract for the 2018-19 season, the four-time MVP could be a free agent as early as next offseason.
Should the Cavaliers be concerned about James leaving next season?
At this point, they have to be. Cleveland is a good situation with talented pieces, but the team had to improve to compete with the Golden State Warriors. They have not improved at all this summer.
The Cavaliers were in the midst of trade talks with the Indiana Pacers and the Chicago Bulls in an effort to acquire either Paul George or Butler, but Griffin was let go of while negotiations were ongoing. They ended shortly after.
It was anticipated that the Cavaliers would have new leadership by the time the draft rolled around, but that didn’t happen. They also failed to acquire a draft pick and never came close to acquiring either star wing player.
James will be 32 years old with his minutes continuing to add up next season. The Cavaliers have failed to add any game-changing talent on the roster or any of the help their best player wanted. James went out of his way to recruit Jamal Crawford once he was released by the Clippers, but Cavaliers ownership refused to pay Crawford their full mid-level exception, according to Zillgitt.
Crawford wasn’t changing the Cavaliers’ fortunes in a meaningful way, but James thought he would make the team better and the Cavaliers didn’t get him. It’s a small sign of a potentially big problem.
Why the Cavaliers shouldn’t be concerned
Even if James wanted to leave next season, where is he going? Not many teams around the league will have cap space. Those that do, including the Los Angeles Lakers, won’t be that good.
Plus, the Eastern Conference is as weak as it has ever been right now with multiple All-Star players migrating to the Western Conference. To go play in L.A. means James’ path to the Finals runs through the Golden State Warriors start at least a round earlier than anticipated.
The Cavaliers are a favorite against 29 out of 30 teams in the league. Kyrie Irving is only getting better, and Kevin Love is a great, versatile option to have at power forward.
It might take an injury bug or a bit of luck to best the Warriors again in the Finals, but that’s better than doing it in the Western Conference Finals.
Chances James leaves the Cavaliers next season: 4/10
A lot can happen over the next calendar year, but if the Cavaliers run into the Warriors again without putting up any resistance, James may seek out greener pastures.
Teams can find a way to open up cap space and sign James outright. Even if he considers Los Angeles, the Lakers can build a team around him with a co-star like Paul George and/or any number of other marquee players on the market.
The East won’t be enough to hold James down in Cleveland after a while. He won’t lock himself into a situation where he can’t compete — just ask the Heat. James will do what’s best for him next summer, and that might be walking away from home for a second time.
