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Cleveland Cavaliers: A plausible path for the Cavs to keep LeBron

By Rithvik Bhongiri

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 13: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder defends LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the game on February 13, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 13: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder defends LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the game on February 13, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – MAY 8: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz and James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets after the game in Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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 Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 8: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz and James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets after the game in Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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 Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Step 2: Trade Love and J.R for Gobert and Joe Ingles

Adding talent like Rudy Gobert would be critical to the Cavs success on the defensive end of the floor.

Remember the Cavs were 29th in defense last year. Adding a DPOY candidate should help that number improve. His ability to score in the post and draw attention is critical to a teams offense. His blocks and ability to use his length to defend guards of the pick and roll is critical to a team’s defense.

What’s the best part about Gobert though is the fact that he doesn’t need to score to be effective nor does he need the ball to initiate his own offense. He would be perfect alongside Butler and James.

A trade for Gobert would be simple for both sides. However, it would require the Cavs to trade Love who just a day ago was relieved from offseason stress as the Cavs were not shopping him. In this trade, however, the Cavs would have to offer Kevin Love and J.R Smith in exchange for Rudy Gobert and Joe Ingles.

Here’s why its beneficial for both teams.

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For the Cavs, you’ll have to go back to the painful memories of the last two NBA finals. The Warriors would simply call for a pick and roll that would force Love to guard Curry which usually led in Curry getting open threes or cuts to the rim.

Either way, Love doesn’t match well with the Warriors and their dynamic offensively. And don’t even get me started on J.R Smith. Game 1 of the 2018 Finals will show you all you need.

By getting Gobert and Ingles who are two solid defenders the Cavs now have more options defensively against the Warriors. Gobert uses his length to make up for his speed in pick and roll situations so it would be hopeless for the Warriors to try and implement that.

Furthermore, it gives the Cavs another body to throw at Durant in Joe Ingles. It’s also safe to say that Ingles being a 44 percent three-point shooter does help too.

For the Jazz you do this trade to give Mitchell more spacing on the court.

Love is a big man who can shoot, freeing up the Jazz wings such as Rubio and Mitchell. This would essentially allow Mitchell to get easier buckets inside because Love is being guarded on the perimeter.

Not only does this allow Mitchell to further develop it might also see the return of Minnesota Love as he will be touching the ball more than he ever did in Cleveland.