Cavs Rumors: Latest Buzz on Paul George Trade, Carmelo Anthony and More
The tension coming from the Cleveland Cavaliers this summer is, in a word, palpable.
After LeBron James and his defending champs bowed out of the Finals to the new superteam on the block, the front office has to worry about the fact the King might opt out in 2018 and consider his options on the open market.
Of course, having a King around gives the team access to scenarios most teams wouldn't dream about—like pursuing names such as Carmelo Anthony or Paul George.
With free agency about to open, let's step back and look at some of the notable rumblings around the Cavaliers.
Buyout Shopping
The Cavaliers haven't done much to negate Golden State's gigantic advantage in the superteam race yet in large part because the front office doesn't have much in the way of assets to sling at other teams.
Forming a juggernaut like the Cavaliers around LeBron has a way of doing that to the team.
Alas, this doesn't mean the Cavaliers won't have options soon. According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, the team will keep an eye on two potential buyout options—Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony:
Wade is an interesting angle for the Cavaliers to consider because it'd be a throwback to their days with the Miami Heat. The 35-year-old guard just picked up his player option with the Chicago Bulls because it comes in around $24 million.
Still, with Chicago's new direction after shipping away Jimmy Butler and building around Kris Dunn and Zach LaVine, Wade is a bit of an odd fit and might find himself on the market after a little negotiation.
Anthony is an entirely different story.
His New York Knicks just parted ways with president Phil Jackson, though the damage between the team and superstar forward might be irreparable at this point as the front office heads for a rebuild of its own. Given Anthony's no-trade clause, it's hard to see him agreeing to a transaction when he could hit the open market.
Now would be a good time to mention Stephen A. Smith of ESPN reported Anthony would indeed accept a buyout so he could join the Cavaliers.
Viewed in a vacuum, the Cavaliers adding one of Wade or Anthony isn't a bad thing, though neither is a defensive stopper who could better help defend the likes of Kevin Durant.
Such options do exist, though.
Quietly Working the Trade Phones
One of the quieter items surrounding the Cavaliers as of late is apparent trade discussions with the San Antonio Spurs.
While this isn't as flashy as the above or what follows below, the Cavaliers chatting with the Spurs about veterans is right in line with what the team actually has to offer via trade.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported the Cavaliers opened a dialogue with the Spurs about veteran guard Danny Green:
Green is an interesting option for Cleveland because he serves two purposes—he'd be a critical depth option and also has a 2018 player option the Cavaliers could hope he declines, freeing up more cap space to use while trying to keep LeBron in town.
Green is 30 years old coming off a season in which he averaged 26.6 minutes and posted 7.3 points. Nothing eye popping here, but a nice way for the Cavaliers to land some affordable depth at the 2, provided San Antonio's asking price isn't too high—and it shouldn't be if the Spurs are intent on shedding cap so they can pursue big-name free agents.
Again, make sure to keep this one in mind. If nothing happens on the buyout market, the odds the Cavaliers hit up the Spurs about this again seem strong.
Banking on PG13 for the Long Haul
By now, the idea of the Indiana Pacers dealing Paul George and his landing with his hometown Los Angeles Lakers seems about as obvious as the Lakers drafting Lonzo Ball.
And we knew Ball and the Lakers coveted one another for years.
The Cavaliers, at least, hope to throw a wrench in these plans. Stein noted recently that the team had found itself involved in talks with the Pacers and Denver Nuggets for George while shipping away Kevin Love.
A third team would indeed help the Cavaliers compensate for a lack of assets. It's hard to imagine he wouldn't want to come to town and play next to LeBron, either. On paper, he'd be the defensive stopper the team desperately needs, sticking on Durant and letting LeBron run wild on the offensive end of the court like he's accustomed.
But what about the long term? If George joins and the Cavaliers don't win a ring, can the front office convince him to sign a long-term deal? Even worse, what if both LeBron and George leave together?
Rest easy—according to USA Today's Sam Amick, who spoke with people close to the situation, George wants to win:
"Hell-bent as he is on signing with the Lakers, George also won't close a window of opportunity. So if the Cavs can convince Pritchard to either take on four-time All-Star forward Kevin Love or send him to a third team in exchange for more suitable assets, then George will play his heart out alongside LeBron James and remain open to the idea of re-signing next summer if James were also to return."
Of course, this isn't a guarantee of anything. The Cavaliers still have to go out and perform after making a franchise-altering deal.
But at the least, fans worried George might be a rental can rest easy and hope LeBron can convince him it's worth sticking in town.
Putting something like that on LeBron's shoulders has a relaxing effect.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
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