LeBron James doesn’t plan to do any recruiting for the Cavaliers this summer, reports Dave McMenamin 0f ESPN.com. The move may be a protest against the organization’s decision not to re-sign David Griffin, whom James supported. Regardless, it’s a change in behavior for the team’s most prominent player, who lobbied Kevin Love, Mike Miller and others to come to Cleveland in prior years.
The Cavaliers have been targeting two veterans to serve as backups: point guard Jose Calderon, who signed with the team today, and power forward Zach Randolph. Other teams chasing Randolph have more money to offer than Cleveland does, and McMenamin suggests that a call from James might tip the scales in the Cavs’ favor, but so far nothing has happened.
There’s more tonight out of Cleveland:
- In the absence of a GM, assistant GM Koby Altman is handling free agency, McMenamin adds in the same story. The Cavaliers are still negotiating with Chauncey Billups to take over the front office, and he has been in touch with Altman and owner Dan Gilbert regarding the team’s strategy. However, Billups seems in no rush to accept the job and will make his BIG3 League debut on Sunday.
- The Cavs are talking to draft-and-stash prospect Cedi Osman about joining the team next year, McMenamin relays in the same piece. The 6’8″ forward out of Macedonia was the 31st pick in the 2015 draft and was part of the deal that sent Tyus Jones to the Timberwolves.
- Cleveland’s GM job has lost some of its appeal, according to Jason Lloyd of The Athletic. Cap concerns, front office turmoil and the possibility that James might leave next summer have created a difficult situation for whomever steps into the position.
- The signing of Calderon displays the dangers of the repeater tax, tweets Bobby Marks of ESPN.com. Adding the veteran guard only counts $1.5MM against the cap, but it raises the Cavs’ tax bill from $16.4MM to $20.4MM.
Oh, LeBron.
so is he quitting on the team???
lol he kinda seems like he is giving up. Maybe he is facing reality. No one will beat the warriors
Not giving up. Just being a cry baby like always.
LeQuitter?
Lebron like to quit on teams first Cleveland and then Miami the next summer Cleveland again to go to L.A this guy is a quitter
Gazing at Love in a nasty way during Game 5, saying he got a triple double and he’s doing his job?, doubting himself before the Finals and expressing on TV the stress about the Warriors. Seriously Lebron YOU BEAT YOURSELF because if you had the heart of the man on my profile pic you would be 7-1 right now but idk man honestly, this guy will never learn and take responsibility for his failures and pile on garbage sTats. The eye test says you are no longer the best.
Lol you sure got him Dionis
And that’s a hot take.
This attitude is exactly why I like guys like Steph and Kawhi over prima donnas such as lebron or PG13. Team first people, this is why the Spurs or GSW will always be better than teams like the Cavs along with talent
When things get rough or challenging, he bails on his teammates. That’s what makes LeBron a poor leader.
Agree 100%.