King James Gospel
Fansided

What if the Cavaliers do not make the Finals?

By Duane Rohrbacher

Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy after beating the Golden State Warriors in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy after beating the Golden State Warriors in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 23, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) is guarded by Indiana Pacers guard Jeff Teague (44) in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Cleveland defeats Indiana 106-102. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) is guarded by Indiana Pacers guard Jeff Teague (44) in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Cleveland defeats Indiana 106-102. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

The Cavs Keep Their Cool

Some naysayers will point to the Cavs and LeBron being worn down. This speculation could lead to a blow-up. Keep LeBron and start over.

Trade everyone. Irving, Love, and Thompson have incredibly valuable contracts given the contract length, and the age and skill level of these three players. Someone could predict that the Cavs trade each of these guys and try to find better role players to surround LeBron with.

My prediction is that this will not happen. There is no reason to blow it up. If anything, head coach Tyronne Lue should manage LeBron’s minutes better. Lue seems to have found an effective second unit lineup (with Williams, LeBron, Frye, Korver, Shumpert/Smith). That is a great first start. But, there would be no reason to blow it up.

If anything, the pieces that do not fit might go. This means either Love or Thompson could hit the block and get a good return. Everyone else is either too expensive or too good of a fit to let go.