The Cleveland Cavaliers want to repeat as NBA champions. Do they have enough?
After June 19, 2016, every Cleveland fan was euphoric to be a part of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebration after the Cavs became world champions.
With the franchise supporting their neighbors next door in their World Series championship run, Cleveland is very proud of its home teams!
But even as the Cavaliers held their championship parade in downtown Cleveland, General Manager David Griffin was trying to figure out how to bring back as many pieces from last years’ puzzle and construct a team capable of repeating and winning another NBA championship. You can bet LeBron James has continued his persistent approach to keeping his squad prepared for the challenges of an 82-game season and the rigors of the intense postseason that follows.
The Departures:
The Cavaliers lost two players that many felt were almost irreplaceable. Matthew Dellavedova and Timofey Mozgov, two fan favorites in Cleveland, left the team during free agency. They signed lucrative contracts with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers respectfully.
Yet, the one thing that many of us forget about this team is this: LeBron James helps make those around him better and more focused.
While it would have been nice to have another year of Mozgov, it wasn’t meant to be. After a dismal second season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Mozgov embarks on a year that will showcase his play when healthy. Remember, Mozgov was the first free agent that agreed to a contract on July 1, the first day after the NBA’s free agency moratorium period. Mozgov signed a 4-year $64,000,000 deal.
The pesky, hard-working Dellavedova? Dellavedova was pursued by the Bucks, who had him sign an offer sheet worth 4 years and $38,000,000. So far, he’s been the hardest player to replace. According to cleveland.com’s Joe Vardon, the Cleveland Cavaliers are still searching for a veteran point guard to back up Kyrie Irving after drafting Kay Felder in the 2016 NBA Draft.
Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 Trades The Cavs Can Make Immediately
Just a few games into the season, Delly is the starting point guard for the Bucks.
The Replacements:
Meanwhile, back in Cleveland, Felder is looking for the chance to show his abilities on the floor. He’ll be used sparingly but consistently. The rest of the ball-handling duties will be handled by Irving, James, Iman Shumpert or a point guard to be named later.
If you haven’t already heard of the controversial situation between point guard Mo Williams and the Cavaliers, it has caused eyebrows to be raised. No one is really sure who is at fault, if anyone.
Nonetheless, Williams said he was retiring. Then he never filled out the paperwork to allow
Cleveland Cavaliers
him to be waived gracefully – a three-year payout – to save the team a tax in excess of $4,000,000. Now, the disgruntled Williams is taking a roster spot and is not even with the team. Although, it should be noted that he’s rehabbing from bone-spur knee surgery.
The Cavs have thought of making a trade surrounding Williams’ contract and using Jordan McRae as the deal sweetener. The team has also been listening to offers for Shumpert, although it seems they are content to keep him.
Another big addition to the team was veteran center Chris “Birdman” Andersen, another player who has played with James in Miami and still has some rim-protecting ability that can help this team as a reserve.
Lets face it. This team is tailored to the talents of the “Big Three” of Irving, Kevin Love and most importantly James. It’s a system that allows for role players to succeed.
Right now, the Cavaliers need insurance.
With Kyrie Irving having been injury-prone in his first few years in Cleveland, the team needs a point guard capable of being the floor general if Irving isn’t able to go.
Last year, that point guard was Mo Williams. He started the 14 of the first 17 game for the Cavs and did an admirable job. He was exactly what the team needed as Irving was rehabbing his knee cap surgery from the injury sustained in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
With a team built to win a championship, you must have “insurance policy” players. Bit players that are vital to the team’s success if an injury were to happen.
Most players at the end of the bench in Cleveland are “insurance players.”
The one thing that Griffin has been doing this offseason is helping the team get a bit younger by putting younger, promising players in place of aged veterans. Last year, these would have been veterans who have had a hard time playing at the pace that coach Tyronn Lue has installed.
If the youth experiment works, players like DeAndre Liggins, Kay Felder and Jordan McRae will grow into rotation players.
Will the team as constructed be able to compete for a second straight NBA championship?
Cleveland Cavaliers: David Griffin's Shrewd Moves Counter The Golden State Warriors'
As we all know, any team with James on it has a great shot at reaching the NBA Finals. But there are a few questions that need to be addressed, especially the full-time backup point guard position.
Many expect the Cavaliers to make a move shortly. Yet, the “David Griffin era” has been defined by patience and due-diligence. General Manager David Griffin will only pull the trigger if he thinks he will be making the team better.
Repeat? If you look at James’ stint with the Miami Heat he went to the Finals once before winning two straight. The question is can LeBron James repeat history in Cleveland?
Related Story: LeBron James Wins 54th Player Of The Week Award, Future DPOY?
Do you think that the Cleveland Cavaliers have enough to win a second straight NBA championship? Let us know in the comments section or Twitter @KJG_NBA.