With the LeBron James summer saga rolling along and potentially into August, the Cleveland Cavaliers remain in the dark as to which way the Hall-of-Fame forward is leaning. But there is reportedly some angling being done by James to make his next destination feel like home — even if it isn’t technically.
According to ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill, James reportedly “had been angling” for Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving to join him in Cleveland. However, as noted by ESPN, the Mavericks reportedly have no interest in trading Irving, and the point guard likewise is comfortable in Dallas. The 34-year-old Irving missed all of last season rehabbing a torn ACL, but figures to play an important role for the Mavericks next to budding star Cooper Flagg.
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The Cavs have had a quiet offseason so far, with the drafting of Maleek Thomas being the only notable acquisition. The team lost Dean Wade to the Philadelphia 76ers (and former General Manager Mike Gansey), Keon Ellis to the Brooklyn Nets, and Larry Nance Jr. to the Indiana Pacers. While they did give Donovan Mitchell a contract extension, the team has not signed point guard James Harden yet — though the two sides appeared ready to work toward an extension. The domino they are waiting to fall appears to be James.
Irving spent three seasons with James in the Wine and Gold, though the relationship ended on a sour note with the point guard’s trade to Boston. However, the Cavs have a fairly fluid roster that could be malleable to what James would want to play alongside. Compared to the Miami Heat and the 76ers, who mostly have their rosters set, the Cavs have players and contracts they could dangle in a trade to bring in someone James would want to play with. The team has reportedly been shopping Max Strus and his expiring contract in a trade, and Dennis Schroder is a candidate to be moved as well. Then there is the frontcourt that has teetered on the edge of separation for years.
If James is waiting on a move to be made before making his decision, the Cavs have some pathways to making it happen — depending on who it is.
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