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Report: LeBron James bothered that Dwyane Wade signing was unpopular in Cavs locker room

By Simon Hannig

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 27: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates with Dwyane Wade #9 in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Cavaliers defeated the 76ers 113-91. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 27: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates with Dwyane Wade #9 in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Cavaliers defeated the 76ers 113-91. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Which players were muffed when Dwyane Wade signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers?

The Cleveland Cavaliers are in the midst of a nine-game winning streak. A new report from Jason Lloyd from The Athletic states that LeBron James was bothered that the Dwyane Wade signing was unpopular in the locker room.

When I first read the report, my first thought that came to mind — Which players in the locker room were unpopular with the Wade signing?

The names that came to mind were — J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert, Richard Jefferson and Derrick Rose.

Smith was the first one to publicly say he was upset with the benching when Wade started at shooting guard at the beginning of the season. You can read what Smith had to say here.

Shumpert’s name also came to mind because he would be losing playing time, something, . Jefferson’s name came to mind as well because he was the odd man out with Wade coming to town, which Lloyd alludes to. Jefferson was traded to Atlanta, then cut by Atlanta, then signed with Denver.

In addition, because Derrick Rose would have to split time and touches with Wade in what he looked at as a contract year, Rose is also a player who probably wasn’t happy about the Wade signing.

In the feature story by Lloyd, James loves how realistic Wade has been when looking at his role on the team.

"“When you’re a star, a real big star and you’ve been a franchise player, guys have a hard time being real with themselves,” James said. “It’s crazy to me that one of my best friends is just real with the whole situation.”"

Lloyd stated the reception in the locker room to the Wade signing was “frosty.” Lloyd also said players were concerned about Wade’s “star power and presence might disrupt what was a terrific chemistry.”

James told Lloyd some players liked the Wade signing.

"“There was a couple guys with it,” James said. “But it wasn’t a lot.”"

This bothered James a lot:

"“I still know what he’s capable of doing. Why wouldn’t you want another guy in the locker room that brings a championship mentality and a guy who can still play?” James said. “So, of course, it bothered me, but fuck it. It is what it is.”"

Wade stated he went to Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue before signing.

"“Maybe my wife has a different outlook, but I feel I’m one of the most easygoing people there is and ultimately I know I just want to do one thing and that’s win,” Wade said. “So overall I’ll win out from that standpoint. But I understand there’s a lot of different reasons why. But Bron asked me to come here, I talked to Ty Lue, he didn’t say he didn’t want me here, so I decided to come. I know if it was anything bad then Bron wouldn’t have asked me to be here or put me in this situation where I just wasn’t totally wanted. But I understand the difference, what they were coming off of and me coming in.“But I always feel like no matter what, if I’m on the court, we’ve got a good chance to win. Is that a bad mentality to have?”"

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