LeBron James is intent on making the “appropriate business decision” as he approaches his next chance at free agency, even if that means leaving the Cavs, as Chris Haynes of the Northeast Ohio Media Group hears. There would no doubt be harsh public criticism were he to leave Cleveland a second time, but he’s willing to act if his hand is forced, Haynes writes. James, who celebrates his 30th birthday today, has a player option worth more than $21.573MM for next season, though he’s said on multiple occasions that he inked a short-term contract simply to maximize his earnings and without the intention of signing with any other team.
James gave conflicting statements Monday about his feelings regarding coach David Blatt, but the four-time MVP hasn’t gone to Cavs management to request that Blatt be fired, nor will he at any point this season, a league source tells Haynes. James said that his relationship with Blatt improves by the day and that Blatt has the attention of his players, in response to rumors that Cavs management is concerned about the way the roster has taken to Blatt, notes fellow Northeast Ohio Media Group scribe Joe Vardon. Still, when Vardon asked James whether he felt Blatt was the right coach for the team, James simply said, “Yeah, he’s our coach, I mean, what other coach do we have?” as Vardon passes along via Twitter.
The Cavs have reportedly been a “little uncomfortable” with the ability James has to hit free agency again so soon, and he has no desire to play for a “sputtering organization,” Haynes writes. The Cavs, at 18-12, have struggled to establish themselves as the elite team they were roundly expected to be this season. Still, it’s similar to what played out for years ago in Miami, when James was also with a team having difficulty blending the talents on a revamped, superstar-laden roster. The Heat nonetheless made the Finals all four years that James was with the club.
So the ‘Homecoming’ narrative was a crock…
He signed on for 2 years at the maximum where he wouldn’t have been able to do that in Miami. Melo signs with NY and somehow he’s all about the money. Basically one had a better storyline, but they both did it for the same reasons.
I do recall the heat being mediocre through its first what, 18 games of the big 3 era? however we are talking about a team thats 30 games into the season, is looking pretty mediocre, and is trending downward since loosing AV. maybe its time to start going with a small ball lineup with at the 5. it worked when james was in miami, but then again bosh had the athleticism and lenth to give them some semblance of rim protection. i cant see love being able to man the 5 without them being awful on the defensive end.
Miami was 21-9 after 30 games in 2011-12, only 3 games better, granted they had a 12 game winning streak after the 9-8 start. The problem is the Cavs need a big defensive presence in the paint and they need some of these guys to step up and play defense. I don’t remember who said it (I think it was Kevin Garnett) but when he was asked why he all of sudden became a good defensive player, he said “I stopped being lazy”. I think guys like Kevin Love and Dion Waiters need to step up their defensive game like Kyrie has and the Cavs will be fine.
Time to trade tristan Thompson? Him and waiters would be the only players that’d likely get you a serviceable rim protector in return. The question is who do you go after? That and which player you want to trade. With AV out you’d think they wouldn’t wanna trade another big, however with love and and LeBron being able to man the 4 (both can play 38 a night, obviously LeBron would be splitting time between small forward and power forward, with love getting some minutes at the 5) there isn’t all that much need for a talented back up big like Thompson. Or do you trade waiters and stomach Miller’s defense at the two( as well as Marion, who wouldn’t be a liability on defense).
I think they treat Waiters and Thompson like anymore than they are, one way players that not many teams are willing to give up much for.
There are going to be teams looking to dump a guy and take on salary relief. The Cavs still have that trade exception from Keith Bogans that could net them a solid big man, but who knows what Griffin will do. I don’t think Gilbert will let them stand pat, he will tell them to make a move and we all know he is willing to spend money to get a winner.
I could see Waiters getting moved as part of a trade, he just does not fit well with this team, he needs to be the man or one of the top 2 guys, not the 4th or 5th option.
This would be arguably the funniest thing to happen in the history of sports.
And Lebron would become the most hated man on the planet…..
Is it the coaches fault or is it that the cavs just aren’t that Great on defense. Their offense can take them only so far. If they don’t improve the defense no way they win a championship this year
I love seeing the cavs struggle.
Jealousy is a bad thing to have
Not jealous as my team has a much better record them them. Nice try lol
Cavs should start kicking the tires with the Jazz… figure out a way to get Gobert/Favors
This is such a non story…
if you wanna write a story, it should be about how Love and Irving just aren’t as good as Bosh and Wade. Are they good players? Yeah. Are they great players? No.
Bosh was willing to change his game and continually redefine himself from day one in Miami – to whatever the team needed him to be…which eventually morphed from a forward to a center who could shoot, knock down three’s, block shots, protect the paint, etc etc. Wade learned how to play off the ball for the first time ever…for the good of the group.
I just don’t see Love and Irving doing the above.