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The rumors about LeBron leaving the Cavaliers next summer have been rampant. You sense they are affecting even other Cavaliers, as this interview with Kyrie Irving indicates. Kyrie states that the Cavaliers "are in a peculiar place." That's no way to talk about Cleveland!
Kyrie could be talking about any number of things, but at the end of each of those roads is the specter of LeBron's exit. That's the storm on the horizon. In all likelihood, that is affecting other things that have put the Cavaliers in such a peculiar position! Consider the Chauncey Billups debacle. Does Billups turn down the job if LeBron is committed long-term?
Every time a new rumor or smoke signal pops up about LeBron leaving, I recall the infamous "I'm Coming Home" piece from 2014. I remember this quote specifically: "I feel my calling here goes above basketball." As mad as LeBron might be about Gilbert's unwillingness to pay David Griffin, and how that may have affected Cleveland's ability to land a star in the wild 2017 summer, his return to the Cavaliers is about more than basketball, in his words.
If he decamps for L.A. or San Antonio in a year, that is proven to be B.S. I don't think it was B.S. I don't think things in Cleveland are so bad that he's willing to say goodbye to Northeast Ohio again. In a way, and perhaps even moreso after the championship, basketball is LeBron's job. His work is much more important.
This is why I greet every new rumor with skepticism. Has LeBron's real mission changed? Until it has, or until we find out he was full of it, he's not leaving.
Reminder: NBA free agent signing tracker and NBA free agent and trade rumor tracker.
MANU BACK!
This Tim Cato deep dive is part two-way contract explainer and part argument against the best non-NBA players signing two-way contracts.
James Jones is done playing in the NBA, which means his streak of NBA Finals appearances will end at seven. But James Jones isn't going far: he's the new vice president of basketball operations in Phoenix! In the same stroke, Suns GM Ryan McDonough had his contract extended through 2019-2020, which is a bit surprising given the way things have gone for the Suns lately.
Nike took over the NBA jersey contract from adidas, so we're getting new team jerseys all summer!
Watching players react to their 2K ratings is just good content.
Bonsu Thompson with the BIG3 guys keeping their basketball careers alive.
The 61-year-old at Summer League trying to make an NBA roster is a hero. (Milkshake Duck disclaimer.)
Ryan Jones on the Warriors' history in the making.
Wizards owner Ted Leonsis is now trying to convince John Wall to sign the $170 million extension offer on the table through the media. (This is light cajoling at best. It's not untoward by any standard.) It might work. But NBA players -- stars especially -- like betting on themselves, and if Wall bets on himself to make All-NBA again next season, the new max extension would be worth $220 million. Also, D.C. sports fans can't have nice things so Wall definitely isn't signing that extension.
Inside the NBA's training program for assistant coaches.
The WNBA's Seattle Storm had a pre-game rally for Planned Parenthood.
Best wishes and best of luck to Tim Kawakami and Marcus Thompson, who are decamping from their Bay Area newspapers to start up a franchise of The Athletic. Those dudes are the absolute best sportswriters in the Bay Area, which is saying something.
A sweet story from Justin Tinsley on the impact the late Stu Scott had on him.