The Cavaliers brought in several free agents for an audition today, with players like Kirk Hinrich, Mario Chalmers, Lance Stephenson, and Jordan Farmar earning a look from the team. Of the names on that list, Stephenson’s was one that immediately stood out, given his on-court history with LeBron James. The former Pacer faced James and the Heat in three consecutive postseasons, serving as an agitator and memorably blowing into LeBron’s ear during one playoff game. Nonetheless, the reigning Finals MVP tells ESPN’s Dave McMenamin that he’d have no problem with Stephenson joining the Cavs.
“I just want to win, man,” James said. “That’s all that matters to me. I got no personal problems with nobody.”
Here’s more out of Cleveland:
- Asked about the four veteran free agents listed above, James pointed out that he has a history with all of them except for Farmar. “I got a history with all those guys except Jordan,” LeBron said, per McMenamin. “I got a history with Lance too, obviously. I got a history versus Kirk. I played him in a lot of playoff series. And I got a history with Rio [Chalmers]. … At the end of the day, Rio is recovering from his Achilles tear. I hope he’s been doing everything he needs to do just to get back on the floor. He loves to play the game. … I’m a supporter of what this franchise wants to do, no matter what it’s doing. But my focus right now is to get our guys playing championship-level basketball.”
- As the Cavs struggled on the court in January, LeBron was as vocal as ever off the court, publicly airing his frustrations about Charles Barkley, Phil Jackson, and the Cavs’ roster in recent weeks. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst explains why James has been more agitated than usual as of late.
- In a separate piece for ESPN.com, Windhorst explores whether Andrew Wiggins will ever make the Cavaliers regret the deal that sent the No. 1 pick to the Timberwolves in a package for Kevin Love. As Windhorst observes, the fact that the Cavs won a title with Love makes it unlikely that the team would ever want a mulligan on the move.
- Speaking of Love, an MRI on his injured back revealed no structural damage, as Jason Lloyd of The Akron Beacon Journal writes. He’ll miss tonight’s game, but the injury isn’t expect to sideline him for too long.
- Earlier this afternoon, we heard that the Knicks haven’t given up their pursuit of Love, despite resistance from the Cavs.
cavs won with love not because of him… I’d have Wiggins over him in a heartbeat
What has Wiggins done production wise to warrant such high value?
Wiggins? Just 20 and 7 a night. 21 years old and healthy. Cavs would’ve won with Wiggins. Maybe King crybaby will be happy when he gets Melo .. they swing a deal for Paul. Go get Westbrook …. maybe Lillard to come off the bench..
You really think Wiggins would average 20 and 7 a night in Cleveland? The ball in Minnesota runs through Wiggins and Towns, so they’re going to get a bunch of usage. Wiggins would do nothing to help space the floor and would essentially be a taller Wade with not as good of an all around game. Yes the Cavs didn’t win because of Love, but there’s no denying his presence and ability helps (and definitely more than Wiggins would have). Love helped them win a title, which automatically makes the trade a win (at least in the short term) for Cleveland. Long term? It depends on what type of player Wiggins develops into and if Love is helpful to any future championships. As of right now, Wiggins has not done anything to prove that the Cavs made a mistake in trading him.
Another way to look at the trade is any subsequent player transactions. Having Love eventually led the Cavs to make the JR Smith/Shumpert trade. On the other hand, if the Cavs had Wiggins, there would most likely not have been a trade for Smith/Shump (maybe one could’ve been acquired, definitely not both). Considering what the Cavs gave up in that trade (and the subsequent hole at the 4/5 spot since this was before Tristan Thompson’s coming out party, the Channing Frye trade, and the obvious hole of no Kevin Love), which big man, if any, would have been a match for the Cavs and come at the same price as the Smith/Shump trade while also being a good fit for the Cavs?