The Cavaliers don’t yet know what LeBron James plans to do with his 2018/19 player option or his potential free agency, but GM Koby Altman said on Thursday night that the team has established a “good dialogue” with James’ camp, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com.
“I think LeBron has more than earned the right to approach his contracts the way he does. He’s done that before, so this is nothing new for us,” Altman said. “We want to respect his space during this process, and I continue to have really good dialogue with his management team as he goes through that process. That’s probably all I can say at this point regarding him, but we don’t take him for granted. We love him, this city loves him. He means the world to us and this franchise.”
While James has yet to tip his hand on his preferred destination for the 2018/19 season, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst suggested during an appearance on the network that the family aspect of LeBron’s decision probably favors the Cavs and Lakers, as opposed to team like the Rockets. Windhorst isn’t sure that James’ family would feel comfortable going to Houston (video link via Lakers Outsiders).
Here’s more on the Cavs:
- A previous report indicated that LeBron’s camp is high on Alabama point guard Collin Sexton, who was drafted eighth overall by the Cavs in last night’s draft. Although the Cavs hope that the idea of playing with Sexton could appeal to James, they were comfortable picking Sexton either way, sources tell Ken Berger of Bleacher Report. According to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, the Cavs fully intend to keep Sexton rather than trading him.
- Two league sources tell Berger that the Cavaliers continue to explore the possibility of a Kemba Walker trade with the Hornets. It’s hard to imagine such a deal being completed without the inclusion of Sexton.
- Executives who spoke to Berger were extremely skeptical that the Cavaliers’ addition of Sexton would move the needle at all for LeBron. However, according to Berger, opinions among executives are split on the Cavs’ chances of retaining the future Hall-of-Famer. One Eastern Conference exec says it would take “ownership of the team” for James to stay in Cleveland, while a Western executive put the odds at 50-50.
- GM Koby Altman, who said that team owner Dan Gilbert will “spare no expense” as the Cavs push for another title, spoke about the team’s next steps, per Vardon: “We have to invest in player development, we have to get better with our youth and then we have to explore opportunities to add and try to improve our talent level as well. That’s my job and we are certainly trying to attack that as we speak for sure.”
Is a rookie pg really going to matter to LBJ?
A good player will. That team is garbage without LeBron
I don’t think it would hurt. People have to come to grips with the fact that it takes two to tangle to make a trade. If the Cavs turned down pre-draft trades or if they decide to keep Sexton then it probably means that they were not offered a package they liked enough. I really wonder if acquiring Walker alone would even move the needle for him. It’s all about this pick, the next move and the move after that.
Yup. If I’m James and the Cavs traded for Walker for all that the rumors were coming up with, I’d walk.
Sexton is a good prospect, on par with Fox last year.
Sexton is much smaller than Fox. Fox improved his jumpshot as the season went on. Sexton has more questions about his jumpshot, although he did shoot a decent percentage. Fox is more of a playmaker, while Sexton is more of a Westbrook/Kyrie dribble player. He needs to improve his decision making. Sexton might be Eric Bledsoe. He might be Patrick Beverly without a jumpshot. I like him for his defense more than anything right now. He is also a good attacker if he can get better at decision making
I read they are the same height but Sexton is more muscular and Fox has maximum quickness. Fox was better on D but Sexton had a better 3pt% (though still just passable) and can fight through for and-1s. He’s not really a PG however and turns the ball over.
If Fox ever gets deeper range he will be better. I’m not thrilled with Sexton at #8 and he should be traded if James stays. CHA traded away Alexander, there you go, Walker! Prefer others though.
I recall Fox being 6″5. He is listed at a little more than 6″3 though, so maybe I’m remembering before the combine. Sexton is listed at 6″1
We are talking Sexton and Jamie Foxx?
The Cavs are beyond dumb if they move Sexton for Walker. That’s not going to beat Boston anyways. Let Lebron leave and focus on re-signing Rodney Hood and competing next season.
Well said. Screw Lebron. Sick of his antics.
did you really just say that letting lebron go and resigning hood will help them compete next year? Wow…
If LBJ wants to be a Cavs he will be. Don’t listen to Donis.
Lol i know
Lol, nobody does.
Obviously if LBJ leaves this team would struggle to win 41 games probably. However, if they decide to extend Hood who is a RFA and keep Clarkson, Nance, Thompson then they have a flawed, yet young and talented core.
Sexton/Clarkson/Hood/Nance/Osman with trade assets in Love and expiring contracts from Hill, Smith and Korver. Very nice pieces to START a rebuild.
Wonder if even ownership would move the needle for LeBron. Highly doubt he’d have more control over Gilbert anyway so it wouldn’t really matter much if he doesn’t get final say of matters
Aside from former GM Griffin LBJ has been given every thing he’s asked for in terms of bringing and retaining players. Obviously the Kyrie request was a monkey wrench in the plans.
As far as giving him some ownership, I think there are rules regarding that which would prevent it being something “official”.
Who have the Cavs brought in on James’ account? And he hasn’t stopped anyone from taking JR, TT & KK, nobody asks for them.
I heard that ownership in a team is not allowed in NBA contracts or something along those lines. Is there truth to that?
Yes. A player can’t own or be a partner in a team. Think of the gambling aspect of that.
ESPN knows nothing: LeBron and his family would love Houston. We have real mansions here not just really big mobile homes like in Cleveland.
L
Except ESPN didn’t report this Chris Paul his best friend did the god father to his kids
News flash. Every city has a section of it where rich people live in mansions. Surely, you didn’t think LBJ and the dozens of billionaires that live in Cleveland were living in double-wides did you?
Well he is a madman.
I love how journalist think the thoughts of another team’s thoughts are anywhere valid. In days 50/50. Just saying something to say something.
Another GM.
Kemba won’t move the needle for LBJ because is a good player not a star, it doesn’t help them to compete, also he would be a terrible fit for Cleveland, he needs the ball all the time, is a score first PG, not a good passer… sounds like Kyrie, but Kyries wasn’t that great, Kemba is even less.
Also about Fox, man reading this sounds like he is gonna be a star in this league, that will never happen, sorry he might be a good player one day, but his rookie season in Sacramento was most disappointing to me, he will never be at the level of other PG’s in his draft like Fultz, Ball or DSJ.
Kemba is the kind of player bad teams like to have b/c its fun to watch a little guy run around.