King James Gospel
Fansided

The Cavaliers are preparing for life after LeBron James

By Da'Reon Sevanell

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 04: (L-R) Vice Chairman of the Cleveland Cavaliers Nate Forbes and Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert attend Game 2 of the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 4, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 04: (L-R) Vice Chairman of the Cleveland Cavaliers Nate Forbes and Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert attend Game 2 of the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 4, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Miami Heat’s LeBron James flashes a smile in the final minutes of the game against the New York Knicks, Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida. The Heat topped the Knicks, 106-98. (C.W. Griffin/Miami Herald/MCT via Getty Images)
Miami Heat’s LeBron James flashes a smile in the final minutes of the game against the New York Knicks, Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida. The Heat topped the Knicks, 106-98. (C.W. Griffin/Miami Herald/MCT via Getty Images) /

The 2010 Decision and its Aftermath

Had LeBron James not exited Cleveland in the manner that he had in 2010, then he would not have returned to the Cavaliers. A player straddled with guilt returned to the Cavaliers in 2014. The Cavaliers’ lone championship of 2016 freed LeBron James from all obligation owed to the team. This freedom makes it possible for him to make a career defining move away from the Cavaliers. Rest assured, LeBron unencumbered by any influence external to himself will come to the logical conclusion that continuing with the Cavaliers is not beneficial to his career.

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    • Nothing needs be said here about Dan Gilbert’s open letter, the letter speaks for itself. Do you believe the man who wrote that letter wants to be caught flat footed again? Do you believe that he would once again take LeBron James’ free agency for granted? The Cavaliers post LeBron were a mess on the court, why would ownership want this to occur again? Why wouldn’t ownership try to maximise the team’s assets and gain leverage going forward? Does Kyrie Irving, a player two years away from free-agency have leverage?

    He doesn’t, he has preferred destinations but the team isn’t obligated to send him to any of these destinations. The team knows what Kyrie’s baseline trade value is at the moment. Cavs ownership never again wants a player to have leverage over them. They would have happily traded Kyrie in the summer of 2018 for assets to get the rebuild started. Kyrie demanding a trade actually strengthens the team’s hand as they can now shop him without the need for any shroud of secrecy. Whichever team gives the best offer will receive Kyrie, even if it’s just for two years. That is the problem for that team, not the Cavaliers.

    The next play by the team is likely to be the shipping out of high priced assets such as Tristan Thompson and Iman Shumpert at or near the trade deadline. These two players by then would have improved their trade values. Expect them to net a return of young, ready to contribute players or veterans on short deals. One of these players may even be involved in a Kyrie trade.

    Kevin Love has been on the trading block since he arrived from Minnesota in 2014. That is three years worth of trade rumours for Love, that has to take its toll on any player. Kevin Love, if he is still with the team when next off-season rolls around will surely be traded. Love would most definitely welcome a trade away from the Cavaliers to a destination where his talents will be appreciated. A Kevin Love trade won’t net the same amount of assets that a Kyrie trade should, but the team will receive assets.

    Must Read: A Masterlist of Kyrie Irving trade scenarios

    Ultimately the Cavaliers are one step away from officially becoming a rebuilding franchise. Unofficially, the Cavaliers are a rebuilding franchise, and ownership is doing everything possible to ensure that the process is officially triggered. Expect LeBron to become increasingly annoyed and more leaks to spring in the Cavaliers ship. Just know that all fingers should point in one direction, and the author loves comic sans.