King James Gospel
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What is next for LeBron and the Cavaliers?

By Brandon Maraldo

CLEVELAND,OH - LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers speaks with the press after the game against the Golden State Warriors in Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals on June 8, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND,OH - LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers speaks with the press after the game against the Golden State Warriors in Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals on June 8, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers lost their second straight NBA Finals series to the Golden State Warriors and they may have lost LeBron James as well.

The Cleveland Cavaliers had their chances in this series to win multiple games. In Game 1, it took a questionable block/charge call change, a missed free-throw by George Hill at the end of regulation and a J.R Smith brain cramp (that came in him not attempting a shot at the end of regulation in a tied game) for them to lose.

If any one of those things are different, the Cavaliers probably win Game 1. Then, in Game 3, the Cavaliers led the Warriors 97-96 with 3:11 to go in the fourth and they were outscored 14-5 to finish the game.

The Cavaliers lack of a consistent third scorer in this series was evident. Prior to Game 4, in which he scored 10 points, Smith was third on the team in scoring with 9.5 points per game on 31.7 percent shooting from the field.

Going up against a team like the Warriors that have four All-Star players and two MVP-level scorers, things will become even harder if you don’t have that consistent scoring option alongside James and Love.

Now, it’s the time that Cleveland Cavaliers fans have worried about: the offseason.

Will LeBron leave the Cavaliers?

LeBron will become a free agent in July but it seems like fan should have a pretty good idea of what he will do before that date.

James could opt-out of his contract and become a free agent or pick a team or opt-in and tell the Cavaliers where he would like to be traded, like Chris Paul was last offseason. If this happens, then at least the Cavaliers would get something in return for losing the greatest player of all-time.

I think LeBron will stay in Cleveland but Cavs general manager Koby Altman has his work cut out for him. The team’s best trade asset is the eight overall pick in this 2018 NBA Draft. He needs to go out and figure out how to get another All-Star on this team who can help carry the offensive load for LeBron during the regular season and chip in during the postseason.

More from Cavs Analysis

There were reports out last offseason about Paul George coming to the Cavaliers in a deal. If he wants out of Oklahoma City and wants to play for the Cavaliers then they may be able to get him to opt into his deal and trade the Thunder the eighth pick and salary filler for George.

It also was reported that LeBron was trying to sell George on a future together in Cleveland before the deal fell apart.

If James does leave then the Cavaliers should look to move Kevin Love. They should try to send him to a contender, instead of having him go through the long rebuild that the Cavaliers will go begin.

Whether or not he leaves, LeBron’s second go-around in Cleveland was nothing short of spectacular. He set out to win a championship for Cleveland and he did just that.

Related Story: Rodney Hood a big part of Cavs’ future

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