Did the Cleveland Cavaliers help the Los Angeles Lakers land LeBron James?

The Cleveland Cavaliers went into the deadline with an old, slow team that didn’t have a pulse. That’s no longer the case after sending six players out the door and welcoming in George Hill, Rodney Hood, Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson. However, in the process, they allowed the Los Angeles Lakers to get out from underneath a bad contract. This gives Los Angeles the cap space to offer two max-contracts this summer to soon to be free agents Paul George and LeBron James

Nobody knows what LeBron is going to do this summer. The speculation that he is out the door has only been amplified by Cleveland’s recent struggles. The Lakers opening up room for two max-contracts certainly will add further speculation into whether James will choose to sign with Los Angeles this summer.

For the Cavs, trying to convince LeBron to stay in Cleveland seemed like an impossible task earlier this week. All of that changed when Koby Altman shook up the roster with three separate trades.

The fastest way to lose LeBron is by playing scared and not taking risks. That’s what happened in 2010. Cleveland learned from those mistakes and made moves that not only help the Cavs this year, but will also help them for the next several years.

Many would have been scared to make a move like Altman did given the rumors surrounding LeBron and Los Angeles. But Altman didn’t blink. He made the move that is best for his team and ultimately best for LeBron.

There’s a risk that this move could cost the Cavs in the long-run. There’s a chance Paul George and LeBron team up in Los Angeles during the offseason. If both of those players really wanted to play together in L.A., they’ll find a way to make it work.

Nance Jr. and Clarkson alone aren’t going to keep James in Cleveland. Still, the front office showing LeBron that they are committed to him might do the trick. That’s what the Cavs did with those moves. They re-upped their commitment to James by getting young, versatile players that will fit in with his playing style.

The Cavs vowed to never make the mistakes that they made in 2010 again and they didn’t. These moves show that they’re committed to improving this team without taking shortcuts.

LeBron may leave at the end of the year. The truth is we don’t know.

One thing is certain, though. If James was looking for an excuse to stay, the Cavs certainly gave him one.

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