Most people around the NBA has spent the past few weeks wondering how much time does LeBron James have left as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers and if the superstar would ever consider leaving the franchise again. But in light of the recent events, all signs point to LBJ leaving once the 2017-18 season comes to a close.
Let’s recap. First, the Cavs lost 1-4 to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals last season. Then, Cleveland couldn’t add an impact player and failed on their attempts to trade for Paul George or Jimmy Butler. They couldn’t land Gordon Hayward either, and now Boston seems to be a legit threat for Cleveland’s supremacy in the East. And as if that wasn’t enough, Kyrie Irving decided he wants out of Cleveland. So all the rumors have been focused on whether Kyrie leaves the Cavs or not, potentially weakening the roster even more while the Warriors got stronger.
If the on-court problems aren’t enough, then consider this. Cleveland’s owner Dan Gilbert let the GM, David Griffin, go because both were “going in different directions” regarding the future of the franchise. James was reportedly close to Griffin, so he is not happy right now. And all those things were confirmed in a recent report. It has been leaked that this will be James’ last season in Cleveland and that he will hit the free agent market in 2018.
So yeah, the Cavaliers are in a big hole. One they might never get out of. It’s not easy to lose a superstar, let alone two in consecutive years. So what should Cleveland do? Irving wants to leave, and it seems certain LBJ is leaving as well. Perhaps trading them right now would be better in order to get something back?
Well… no. Actually, that’s the one thing the Cavs SHOULDN’T do. One does not trade away franchise players just because “they might” leave. And even if that’s the case, LeBron possesses a full no-trade clause, so he would have the final word on any potential negotiation. As we can see, there are lots of hurdles to pass to even consider a potential trade involving “The King”.
Things get deeper than that, though. The Cavs have one last shot at a championship this year if they keep the entire core together. Do you really believe the front office would wipe that away just to prepare for the future? That’s not going to happen.
So we can speculate all we want about James’ future. But he is not going anywhere this year. And the Cavs would be incredibly naive to trade him away, especially when he said he isn’t leaving and when he hasn’t said anything regarding his immediate future.
After all, he’s LeBron James. They’re not going to replace him.