The Cleveland Cavaliers no longer need LeBron James to ride in on a white horse and save the franchise, although they could use a little boost in what’s been a lackluster season thus far.
A 27-20 record is only good enough for fifth place in a wide-open East, a conference many thought the Cavs would be running away with by now.
If the Cavs can somehow get James (who’s averaging 24.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.2 steals on 52.1 percent shooting this month) while still keeping Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Darius Garland, they absolutely should explore that possibility.
James brings the toughness and postseason experience this roster needs after three straight early playoff exits. There’s a nostalgia factor to be sure as James winds down his legendary career, but the 41-year-old can actually help the Cavs win a title this summer, exactly 10 years after he led them to their first in franchise history in 2016.
The Cavs would have a starting five of Garland, Mitchell, Dean Wade, James and Mobley and still have Jaylon Tyson (who’s been excellent in Year 2), Larry Nance Jr., Craig Porter Jr., Tyrese Proctor and Thomas Bryant. Cleveland would need to fill two roster spots while still staying under the second apron, most likely converting two-way players like Nae’Qwan Tomlin and Chris Livingston into guaranteed deals.
The depth takes a hit here, although the Utah Jazz would need to waive two players to make the deal official, paving the way for a Kevin Love or Georges Niang reunion in Cleveland as well.
The most underrated part of this trade is that the Cavs would be free of second apron restrictions and shave over $100 million in salary and luxury tax payments this season alone. James’ $52.6 million salary expires this summer, with the real possibility of he and the Cavs coming to terms on a new one-year, team-friendly deal that sets him up for one final NBA season to make a title run in his home state.
The Cavaliers keep their three All-Stars, bring James back to go all-in for a championship and get out of the second apron with financial flexibility coming this summer.
