As each day passes, the tension grows between LeBron James and the NBA, specifically the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers.
The four-time MVP opted out of his Heat contract more than two weeks ago and since that time more than half of teams within the association have been reworking their rosters in an attempt to secure the best player on the planet via free agency. The Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers — the only two teams the star has played for in his tenured career — have been considered the front runners all along. Miami made a couple small moves earlier this week; Cleveland made a small transaction Wednesday as well to hopefully make themselves an attractive option.
The Cavs shed about $10 million in payroll after completing a three-team trade with the Nets and Celtics. In the trade, Cleveland will send Jarrett Jack and Sergey Karasev to the Nets, the Celtics will receive Marcus Thornton (via Brooklyn) and Tyler Zeller (via Cleveland as well) and a 2016 first-round pick, and in return the Cavs will receive Ilkan Karaman and Edin Bavcic (via Brooklyn).
Chris Broussard of ESPN is also reporting the Cavs are trying to nail down deals with Ray Allen and Mike Miller, two teammates of James during his play in Miami.
In my opinion, Cleveland will need to do a lot more than clear cap space and add two players named Karaman and Bavcic to get LeBron to come back to his home state, especially after the way Dan Gilbert unapologetically dismissed James after his last departure.
James has reportedly informed everyone he is no longer taking meetings with any more teams following his meeting with Miami Heat President Pat Riley Wednesday in Las Vegas. Riley and the Heat have to feel good knowing they were the last organization to speak with him — but then again, anything can happen.
Vote where you think ‘The King’ will land here.
Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports.
Photo Credit: Getty
