Podcast 328: LeBronwatch, Day 8453
2026-07-13You might think it hyperbole, but we’ve been been on watch for where LeBron would end up playing for almost 8500 days. That’s right, 8453 days ago, we were watching our TVs for the NBA draft lottery when one LeBron James fell into Cleveland’s lap on that fateful day in 2003. We’ve been tracking his movements around the NBA ever since, and here we are one more time, supposedly waiting for the King to decide between Cleveland, Miami, Philadelphia, and Minnesota. So much smoke for one more grandstand: I won’t even say it’s the last grandstand because given the King’s longevity, we might all be doing this again in a year or two. Anyway, Eli, Chris, and Nate climbed up to the podcast tower to scan the horizons for any sign of the King’s return to Cleveland.
Will he be back? Will he take his talents to South Beach yet again? Does Minnesota have a chance? Is Kevin Love along for the ride? We pondered all these questions and more, and to wile away the hours, we broke down some Sumer League action, and pondered what roster moves the Cavs might make if LBJ returns or if he declines. With no real intel to be gathered from our tower’s spotlight, we looked around the NBA and graded the offseason for the rest of The Association, which is very much still in limbo as their front offices wait for word like the rest of us. Who crushed their offseason? Who is lost at sea? Who is best positioned to take advantage of Adam Silver’s nutty new rules? Who stole the stationary from the desk of Koby Altman? We mused idly as our long watch continues.
As always, catch us below, download the full audio file, or listen on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, or Spotify.
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LeBron to Philly. We are no better than 5th or 6th now.
Sucks. No clue what they do now.
Kuminga!
We still need 2 real forwards. Herzonja (sp) is trying to come back.
Should have kept Wade.
Crazy they didn’t
LeBron a Sixer. What a Weiner
Barf.
Would have rather him gone to the Warriors tbh.
THANK YOU JASON FOR POSTING GREEN s STATS —- I THOUGHT HE HAD A “ BREAKOUT “ YEAR LAST YEAR—- THOUGHT WRONG—- SO I AGREE—NO —- AM SURE MAVS FEEL SAME WAY —-
WHAT ABOUT THE SO CALLED “ SHAKE/ WINK “ DEAL WITH HARDEN THAT HE WOULD NOT BE TRADED OR WAS IT HE WOULD GET THE CONTRACT HE WANTED———- IN THE CASE “ OF 2 POISON s “ – I PREFER DAVID OVER KY
Yeah exactly, that’s why I’m not buying any of these rumors. The only way I could see that going down is if Harden made it known that he wanted to be somewhere else. Which if that was the case he could just sign somewhere else.
They have a handshake deal to pay Harden roughly $45 or $70 mil in guaranteed money. (Can’t remember if partial guarantee was on second or third year). The reason Harden isn’t signing elsewhere is no one else can pay him close to that money. It’s Cavs, sign and trade, or minimums and exceptions. Trust me Harden cares a lot more about the money than who he’s playing for. He’s one of the all time great NBA bag getters.
OK WITH THE TRADE—- BOY—- HAVING HARD TIME ACCEPTING KY BACK—-THEY SAY TIME HEALS ALL WOUNDS—- IF THAT HAPPENS DOES THAT MAKE US A CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDER—-THAT QUESTION STILL HAS TO BE IN THE EQUATION
the rumor is Schröder and Harden for Jaylen Green with Schröder going into Charlotte’s exception (and assuming something going to Charlotte for their trouble). Would you flip Green for Kyrie if it got you LeBron?
did I miss something? why would LeBron want to play with Kyrie?
Report: LeBron James Waiting for Cavaliers to Trade for Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving – Yahoo Sports https://share.google/ZTorhears63sa98Bl
there are all kinds of random wild trade ideas floating around. but, in case you forgot, LeBron had a potential dynasty in Cleveland, and Kyrie wrecked it because, …, he’s Kyrie. and, Kyrie has been basically crap ever since that magic year. I doubt if anyone wants him, certainly not at his price point.
Rich Paul just said LBJ is not waiting for anything. FWIW.
Jalen Green sucks. And has a higher cap hit than Harden likely will. Though not Harden + Schröder.
Green: 32 GP/27 starts. Shooting splits: 42/31/75. Barf. 17.8/3.6/2.8 per game. 2.3 TOs. Inefficient. Not durable. Can’t play point. Another 2 guard. $36 mil to be DMs backup?
Hard pass.
I would be shocked if the Mavs were willing to part with Kyrie.
are you kidding? a way past his prime, head case on a great young team? they might cut him and eat the salary.
Idk, seems like the reporting is saying the Mavs aren’t interested. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/49434263/nba-free-agency-lebron-james-heat-cavaliers-reunion-close-chapter
I certainly wouldn’t want any part of Jalen Green. And I doubt Dallas does either.
So yes, I’d swap Green for Kyrie in a hearbeat.
The question is, would I swap Harden & Schröder for Kyrie?
That is a much closer call. I don’t think Dallas bites there, so it is moot.
If I thought Irving was healthy, I might.
I’d swap Schröder and Harden for Jalen Green.
The only way I would do that is if we tear it down. He is not gonna help winning that much.
Inefficient scorer. Poor Ast/TO ratio. 6’4″ guard. Hurt a lot. TS% of 51.6%. Barf. On a team that won 45 games, he was negative box plus minus, negative defensive bpm, negative offensive win shares. Bately above replacement player value on VORP at +0.2 and WS at +0.3, though the missed time hurts him there. WS/48 at 0.019. Was +1.0 on Defensive win shares.
Yeah. He sucks. But he is just 24 on a team with no point guard. And I still like him better than Harden.
Harden derangement sydrome. James has his warts, for sure. But that is not close.
Kyrie? I’d think about that. But Kyrie, Mitchell, LBJ is gonna be awful defensively. Harden can guard up to SF and maybe even PF. And rebound a bit.
If Green was a dawg on D, and cheaper, then maybe. But he is neither. But I was laughing my ass off when Houston stupidly took him and gifted us Mobley.
To translate that to Cavs. Green 828 min.
TS% 51.9%. Schröder 51.5%. CPJ 52.4%.
VORP +0.2: Ball +0.2 (in less minutes)
WS +0.3. LNJ & Ball +0.6, Enaruna & Sarr +0.2
WS: 0.019. Travers 0.024. Ball 0.042.
And he makes $39 mil.
No effing way.
WOW —- GOOD EXAMPLE JASON—- FORGOT ALL ABOUT HIM —— HALIBURTON IS ANOTHER ONE
I just watched a few highlights. I thought he got his long shots off quickly and smoothly. on some midrange jumpshots in traffic, he had a kind of an extra hitch, which might be intentional to avoid a block?
As long as it goes in and you can get it off I am not a huge fan of reworking guys mechanics.
Jamal Wilkes fan.
BETTER—- HAVE TO SEE IN GAME RESULTS—— ALOT OF SHOOTERS “ REVERT “ BACK TO THEIR ORIGINAL SHOT DURING A GAME/ MUSCLE MEMORY ACTIVATION
OK — BEEN WATCHING FILM OF MALEEKs JUMP SHOT—— HAS SOME “ MECHANICAL FLAWS “ BUT HE GETS RESULTS———QUESTION BEING— SHOULD THE CAVS TRY TO “ REFINE “ HIS SHOT OR LET IT BE
What’d you think of Tomlin’s reworked j?
THAT IS WHAT FRUSTRATES ME —- LEBRON HAS “ HANDCUFFED “ CAVS ( and yes in essence the nba ) FROM MAKING ANY MOVES —- REALLY NOT SURE IF / WHAT MOVES THEY WOULD HAVE MADE BY NOW
I mean they should be looking to dump Schröder anyway, the problem is everyone is waiting cause if the Cavs aren’t dumping salary, someone else will need to.
absolutely. the only reason to hold off he might be part of a bigger deal in the event LeBron signs with the Cavs. it is hard to imagine anyone wanting Schroder.
I don’t even care that much this time. We are not contenders even with him in my book.
We’d be better on O and wilorse on D than we were with Wade.
And because he took so long, other moves will be difficult to make.
The Cavs are an eastern conference finals team that was two all time collapses away from at least a six game series with New York, and they could be swapping Dean Wade for LeBron.
Two? I remember one.
I thought Toronto was worse than any of the Knicks games save G1.
But they can’t be all-time collapses when we do it almost every series. The Pacers series had a couple two years ago.
That level of choke is the norm for us, not the exception. Hence, not a real contender and I don’t think age 42 LeBron fixes that.
Not by himself anyway.
sorry, finals game #1 was an all time collapse.
For the Spurs?
I was talking about the Cavs.
haha – sorry, I meant the ECF
You’re right. Just one.
I mean yeah, the Cavs have had a lot of late game collapses the last couple post-seasons. But they also are undefeated in Game 7s in the Mitchell era. Against the Knicks “this” year, every single Knicks postseason opponent had “at least one” collapse comparable to the Cavs Game 1. The Knicks did the same things to everyone else – including SA – that they did to the Cavs. So it doesn’t make sense to bury them over it. It does the beg the question, how would LeBron have changed that series if at all? I think he might have… Read more »
Yeah, I don’t get the doom and gloom about the run we had. Yes, we collapsed. Yes, we have holes. But we also had how many starting lineups last year? Almost no consistency. And we still could make some unexpected moves. We’re a long way from the trade deadline. And finally, regardless of how it ends, if I get to keep watching my team in April, May, and potentially June, I’m a happy camper.
Mitchell playing like crap really has me down. His three ball is constantly AWOL come PO time. He had some good games and 2 fantastic ones.
In previous years I thought he was good enough to be alpha scorer on a title team. I do not believe that anymore.
Hard to know what goes on with DM in the playoffs. but even at 41 LeBron makes people better. He’s still that guy.
Mitchell is a top 15 player, probably not a top 10 player. so the Cavs are going to have to be lucky to be a contender, but could happen and LeBron would help.
most of the other teams also have holes, like Miami depending on Giannis to be healthy. if Giannis is injuried a lot (not particularly unlikely) Miami won’t sniff the playins.
I agree you on this point re Mitchell, just gonna have to hope there’s some kind of extra motivation to put him over the top next season.
TOTALLY AGREE NATE👍
If LeBron goes to play with Bam, Giannis, and the most mid collection of guards and swingmen we’ve ever seen, it will be objectively hilarious.
LEBRON STARTING TO TAKE SOME MEDIA HEAT FOR “ DELAYING HIS DECISION——PARALYZING THE LEAGUE “—— I SAY TONIGHT—- THE HEAT
Doesn’t want to play on Christmas so waiting for schedule to come out.
But the are not gonna release/make the schedule until after he announces.
This is just about his prima donna self wanting to be the center of attention.
He’s earned this. The first decision? Laughably bad. But now? It’s fine IMO 🤷♂️
YEP ALL THE VIBES ARE SAYING MIAMI—— AND THEN KOBY / CAVS WILL BE “ ALL IN “ ON GETTING KIMINGA
Idk I still don’t see anything that’s convinced me that the vibes are for Miami. The betting markets don’t really mean much to me.
same. betting markets seem to work in things where there are lots of factors. this case is just whatever tf LeBron wants to do.
Yeah. It’s either insider trading or it’s all smoke.
THINK YOU ARE CORRECT—- WHAT ODDs ON THE CAVS—— LOOKING MORE/ MORE LIKE THE HEAT
Well, if I have been correct, now that the WC is over, we should get a decision today or tomorrow.
I am betting on tomorrow, but maybe Neil Young is correct and “Tonight’s the Night ”
So glad Argentina lost, as they deserved to.
Seeing some rumors it’s today.
I do not have positive vibes. Absolutely no info. Betting markets swinging towards Miami, FWIW.
yeah, Argentina turned out to be shitheads
HAWKS JUST GOT BETTER GETTING DORT —-HAWKS WILL BE A COMPETITIVE TEAM !!
AM PUTTING MY MONEY ON MIAMI—— AS MUCH AS WE ( and a lot of fans) WANT TO SEE THAT STORY BOOK ENDING——— THE “ CHEMISTRY “ BETWEEN HIM ( for whatever reason) HARDEN SEEMS DISTANCED—— PLUS KOBY MAKING IT HAPPEN ( without giving away the future) SEEMS TO BE VERY CHALLENGING—— SAYING “ SOUTH BEACH “ AGAIN
LBJ will wait until after the WC. I thought there was a chance he might anmounce between the SF & Final. But, no.
Am not getting a good feeling. I think for us to land him, we need some kind of trade up Altman’s sleeve. Some kind of deal (Schróder and or Strus + a first) that yields us a real perimeter defender who can guard forwards. And maybe another for guards.
Otherwise, Harden, Mitchell, LeBron is way too leaky defensively.
Yeah, I think he wants a chip. I think it’s Miami. But I’m sure Altman is working his ass off trying to make it happen.
if Giannis is unhealthy (which is usually), Miami with LeBron will be fighting for to get into the playins
my guess is that LeBron made his decision a while ago, and is now holding on to it because he enjoys seeing his name dominate the basketball news world.
NOT SAYING MALEEK WILL BE AN INSTANT ALL STAR ( if in his career) AM SAYING HIM / PROCTOR/ CPJ ARE BETTER AND MONEY WISE BETTER FOR THE CAVS THAN “ SHRED THE SHREDDED “
The Athletic putting Summer League performances in some perspective :
Last year, the leading scorers were Kyle Filipowski, Drew Timme and Quenton Jackson. The year before, they were Julian Strawther, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Jordan Miller. The last time an All-Star finished in the top five of summer league scoring was in 2021 with Tyrese Maxey, and he’s the only player to finish in the top five of summer league scoring to become an All-Star since 2018.
This is where I am at, 100%.
Don’t get me wrong, I was thrilled with Thomas’ performance at SL. WAY better than expected.
But expecting him to be a star is a reach. A BIG one. And even being a contributor at PG (a new position) seems like a reach. Especially right away.
reasonable. he has a much better chance of being a top starter in a couple years.
also, Meleek is only 19. lately we have seen many lists of guys the had a great SL but a weak NBA career. how many of them were 19 when they did it?
If he is the backup PG, I will be very surprised. But if he wins it during the season, I will be thrilled.
But there are issues anywhere Bron goes. LBJ, Giannis, + Bam ain’t much shooting. Giannis is gonna want the ball. And there is not a lot of backcourt shooting either.
Maxey + Brown + Embiid is a lot of other guys who need the ball. And Joel’s health is not a great bet.
I’d feel a lot better with another forward & perimeter defender (Wade/Ellis). But it was too expensive to keep Ellis, and he didappointed while here, mostly.
But perhaps Koby has a move he can make that is only gonna happen if Bron comes. If so, I am sure that has been communicated to LBJ’s team.
The move is Bron and a bought-out KCP
AGREE WITH RAOUL
HEY BUCKAROO GOOD HEARING FROM YOU—- HOPE SUMMER IS TREATING YOU GOOD AND YOU ARE FINDING TIME TO “ TOSS DOWN A FEW ROLLING ROCK s 👍🍺” —— EVERYDAY ( as probably planned/ mandated ) THERE IS A DIFFERENT VERSION/ STORY WHERE LEBRON IS GOING—TODAY IT APPEARS TO BE MIAMI—— I THINK THE MAJORITY OF FANS ( even teams that are recruiting him ) WANT TO SEE THAT “ STORY BOOK ENDING “ WITH THE CAVS —— LIKE JASON HAS PROJECTED- TUESDAY/ WEDNESDAY WILL COME THE ANNOUNCEMENT————- JUST WONDERING WHAT CAVS “ PLAN B “ IS IF HE DOESNT COME… Read more »
Lose one (1) rotation guy from a conference finalist and you are an 8 seed.
Math not mathing.
possibly, but I doubt it.
We went to 7 games with Toronto. Losing your starting SF could tip that to a loss. Plus they have likely gained Kawhi. That drops us behind them. Philly got Brown for PG13 and got Wade from us. That is a jump. Now we are 6th.
And that does not mention Miami getting Giannis and Indy getting Haliburton back.
I’d say 6th, but closer to 8th than 4th.
BTW, as I recall, Kawhi is injuried almost as much as Giannis and Embiid, plus he might be suspended for a while, and who knows of the trade will go thru, …
We were bludgeoned by injuries for about the first 2/3 of the regular season last year and managed to come within a game of a top 3 seed. If we are luckier with health, we are more likely to go up in our seeding than we are to decrease. 8 seed is a CRAZY take and massive overreaction to the offseason moves.
I BELIEVE MALEEK ( even though SL ) PROVED IN SMALL SAMPLES HE CAN RUN THE PT GD —- HIS ASSIST / TO RATIO WAS OUTSTANDING—- DONT UNDERESTIMATE PROCTOR S 2nd SEASON GROWTH——- OTHER THAN 1 PLAYOFF GAME WHAT DID “ SHREDDER “ GIVE US ——— SHRED THAT CONTRACT——————- DONT FORGET CPJ EITHER—- WITH ALL THE OTHER PLAYERS/ NOT REALLY THAT VITAL TO BE A 3PT MARKSMAN
NOMAD bro.. meleek got some skills.. nice pickup at #34.. cavs still have a lot of work to do.. watched some vids last night on lebron.. i would be shocked of he chooses to come back to CLE.. cavs looking like a play-in or perhaps 7,8 next year.. i don’t think he signs up for that.. playing in philly (with brown and maxey, and embiid), or miami (with giannis and bam), or golden state (with steph) are much higher probabilities, imho.. by the way, what the f&ck was brad stevens thinking trading jaylen brown ?? that is some sad scheit..… Read more »
typical Boston excellent move:
Brown is a ball hog, team is always better when he is not on the floor, players don’t want to be on his team, and he insists on a max contract. what’s to like?
thx raoul.. that about sums it up i guess.. just curious, who has the better year (’26-’27).. philly or bos ?
philly ought to, given that Boston is kind of rebuilding. but Philly usually underperforms, and Boston usually overperforms, so there is that.
MALEEK IS EVERYTHING- PLUS WHAT WE HAD HOPED EMONI BATES WOULD BE———— HAVE HEARD PRICTOR IS “ TEARING IT UP “ FOR AUSTRALIA— ENOUGH WORRY ALREADY WHO CAN BE BACK UP PT GD – TIME TO “ SHRED THE SHREDDER “
Not sure either is really a PG. Small combo guards that cannot quite run/defend the point well enough and are too small to defend the wing are my least favorite player archtype. And we collect them.
It may be too early to put either in that bucket, but you have to be really efficient offensively to be a key piece on a title team (JJ Barea, Jslason Terry, Vinnie Johnson). Or better on D than I think either is.
I hope I am wrong about both. We know Kenny tends to play offense first.
And while Schröder’s grit saved our season one game, he more often hijacks the offense. If he isn’t scoring efficiently, it is over. No good off ball with that poor shooting. Pesky defender for certain.
If I have to choose between keeping Steus or Schröder, that is an easy choice.
no kidding!
right. BTW, we all knew Emoni was a flyer and there was a reason why he kept going to lower ranked programs, … . he sure had some great hair!
That is what, 109 points in 4 games. 27+ ppg. All right around 50% FGs except for one game. Very impressive. Very impressive.
Udeh had 5 blocks. Minix finally hit some shots. Branham was decent. As were Lee & Spillers off the bench.
Cavs 100, Bulls 91. Meleek did play but was held to 24 points in 25 minutes
MALEEK ANOTHER STRONG SHOWING—- WISH THEY WOULD HAVE MADE THE PLAY IN 3-0 after LOSING 1st 2 ——- OK CAVS GET YOUR BEST DEVELOPMENTAL COACHES WITH MALEEK FROM NOW UNTIL TRAINING CAMP
MALEEK MIGHT GO FOR 30 —— HAS 20 MIDWAY THROUGH THE 3rd ——- UNLESS THEY PULL HIM
BELIEVE SKYLAR GRAY SANG and THEY HAD CLEVELAND OVER FLOWING WITH PEOPLE———— DO IT AGAIN LEBON 👍👍
HEY NATE ( or someone) STILL HAVE THE VIDEO/ SOUNDTRACK OF —“ COMING HOME “ — THINK THAT WAS THE NAME OF THE SONG—— GOT GOOSEBUMPS EVERY TIME I LISTENED TO IT 💪🏀
Let us see how Thomas does tonight.
AGREED JASON—- LEBRON / COMPANY VERY “ IN TUNE “ TO THAT
👍👍👍MALEEK — DOESNT SOUND AS IF HE IS PLAYING TODAY—— GIVE “. SHREDDERs MINUTES “ TO HIM / PROCTOR—— GET “ SHREDDER s MONEY “ OFF OUR BOOKS
SB Nation ranks Meleek #5:
https://www.sbnation.com/nba/1122428/nbas-11-best-rookies-in-las-vegas-summer-league-ranked
Sure it’s only SL, but ranked between Dybatsa and Peterson.
If Argentina win tomorrow, I think he may push back to Tue, as Monday will be all about Messi.
“ TICK – TOCK “—- AS THE DAYS COME / GO WAITING FOR “ THE ANNOUNCEMENT “ — LEBRON s DOCUMENTARY IS MAKING MORE MILLION s EACH DAY
he is waiting for a quite news day. he planned it for today until Amy Helm got fired by the Levon Helm Midnight Ramble.
NOT SURE WITH HIS SUMMER “ FLOP “ MINNIX IS IN THE MIX — EVEN THOUGH HE IS SIGNED—- THOUGHT RECENTLY HE WAS “ SNIFFING “ FOR A EURO CONTRACT
Minix was horrid in SL. A shooter who missed 19 triples in a row. Oof. Enaruna was ill, and at least has some athleticism. Udeh decent on D on the glass, but not super impressive either.
Thomas was best in show by a mile. Tomlin 2nd. Malaki 3rd, but with 4 years in the league he should. And those 4 make him ineligible for 2way slots, I believe.
Unless he gets rostered by someone else Branham will likely be a camp invite and end up on Charge with a hope for an in season call-up.
A “knock on wood” best case scenario roster, with the King coming home, Harden for reasonable, and Schröder shipped out.
Starters: Harden, Mitchell, James, Mobley, Allen
Reliable Rotation: Merrill, Strus, Tyson
Borderline Rotation: CPJ, Tomlin, Bryant
Unproven: Thomas, Proctor
2 way: Minix, Enaruna, Udeh
2 spots open. A big wing defender seems a must. A 3rd PG/ball stopper defender, frontcourt shooting, and some athleticism would also be useful.
That roster is not a title winner. 2-3 significant pieces away. Now, maybe Thomas/Tomlin blossom into 1-2 of those.
If pencil in a CPJ/ Bronny trade.
Latest rumors say likely not a package deal, but I get being skeptical.
sure it is if they have a good year
We went over this on the pod. You’re forgetting Bronny. Also Tomlin has to be a part of the rotation given the lack of long wings, 3/4s. This is likely the roster cause they likely won’t carry a 15th player regularly. Maybe Bronny can be that defender. That roster can absolutely win a title. They were one game 1 collapse away from making it a real series against the Knicks and you’ve replaced Wade with the GOAT. I’m baffled why people think of the Cavs as some team that lost in the first or second round. The Cavs suffered all… Read more »
Also, the 14th guy is probably Kevin Love.
Realizing some of this reads like an argument. Not meaning it to. Just a conversation. Appreciate you putting this together
No worries, Nate.
Regarding Tomlin, if we want to contend and are all in near term, and I think we do, I think we need another proven forward. And not a SG/SF type.
I think Kuminga is on the table even if LBJ comes home.
Suffice it to say, I disagree on all counts.
I don’t think Bronny has to be included. And even if so, I am not sure CPJ is necessarily the man traded (Proctor).
I certainly do not buy the Love rumors.
And while I think we need another big wing in the rotation, it needs to be someone more proven than Tomlin. Unless he goes all Ty Jerome in SL/camp.
sorry, I have Thomas in the Reliable Rotation from the getgo.
It would certainly be nice. But SL is SL. The other question is where? SG has Mitchell, Merrill, + Strus/Tyson. Not to mention Harden can slide over and Proctor.
PG would be fantastic. But that is asking a lot for a guy who was off ball more in college for 1 year.
For me, it is literally impossible to prove you are a reliable rotation guy in SL. That can only happen during NBA games.
Then you have to prove you can perform in the POs (Ty Jerome issue). Then you have to prove you can perform in the business/deep end of the POs (Harden, Mitchell, Mobley, Allen issues).
Still, all of those 4 have proven to be good thru the first two rounds, for the most part (throw out G6/7 for the Beard). Took strides this year. Strus & Merrill were good enough to stay on the floor.
Tyson has cleared the regular season hurdle easily, but not POs. But I think he can get there.
For me, Tomlin, Bryant, and CPJ are spot minute or fill-in guys in the regular. Serviceable but not necessarily guys you want out there for prolonged stretches. Bryant’s shooting/rebounding are good but he lacks mobility. Tomlin is mobile & energetic but can’t shoot and his off ball D is shaky. CPJ has great D and intangibles/playmaking but lacks shooting (FT especially) and can be TO prone vs the press.
Bryant is who he is at this point, but I think Tomlin & CPJ could bloom with more minutes. Tomlin moreso.
Thomas and Proctor are completely unproven. Backup PG is kind of like backup C for us, technically Bryant is #2, but he is really #3. Ditto at PG with Harden/Mitchell. Even if Schröder is gone, whomever is #2 is really #3. #4 if Bron is here.
And SG is awful crowded.
there might still be some big moves made. usually the top NBA rookies wind up in the rotation (this is my guess, any stats would be welcome). even thou Meleek was a second round pick, he is likely to be the SL MVP, so he might be playing from the getgo.
Well, today could be the day. Or tomorrow.
But I am thinking LeBron waits until after the WC is over and uses the appearances today/tommorrow to build tension for the Decision.
I think the decision will come after the WC Final.
And we still need perimeter defenders, of all sizes. Plural. Badly. Even with Bron here.
There is a non-zero chance that he just up and retires, of course. But that isn’t the Lebron we all know.
I think the retirement chance is 0%.
He was talking possibly multiple years today. And that documentary isn’t gonna ne about him playing golf.
he will never retire as long as he can keep the sports world awaiting his next utterance
OLADIPO HAD VERY IMPRESSIVE/ EMOTIONAL TRYOUT FOR SEVERAL NBA SCOUTS
I’m pretty sure if he had anything left he’d be on someone’s roster. It’s one thing to have a nice workout. Can his body hold up to 82 games and a playoffs? Doubtful.
Dude couldn’t shoot 40% from the field in the G league last year
Tournament play not much better
Okay, hear me out… Victor Oladipo…
Did we not snoop around Dipo like 2 years ago?
Nice dude. No thanks.
Okay, hear me out… Ben Simmons…
(I’m not joking)
LOL you’re singing Eli’s tune!
Cavs actively shopping Schröder. If this was not the plan from the beginning, it surely is made easier with how well Thomas is playing, both scoring and handling and defending.
Absent Schröder, we’d be roughly $50 mil under the 2nd apron, and $38 below the first. Limited mechanisms to add talent. But shound be enough for a Beard (Bird rights) and a King if LNJ really does want to come cheap.
Using the full midlevel exception or executing a sign & trade hard caps us at the first apron. So I doubt either is in play.
That $38/$50 space is with 11 sans Umlat. Beard & King make 13. Say Harden is at $25 mil. We’d have $13/$25 under the aprons. The taxpayer midlevel ($6 mil). We have old trade exceptions we could use OR create a new one dealing Dennis if that does not bring back a player.
But signing a FA into an exception means using a S&T which would hard cap us at the first apron. So I doubt it.
SORRY RAOUL —- MALEEK MIGHT NOT BE PLAYING TONIGHT—— PROBABLY SMART MOVE
👍🙏 NATE —- GOOD ARTICLE—-SOUNDS AS IF HE IS “ GROUNDED and MOTIVATED “—- COME JOIN THE FUN LEBRON !!!!
Spin Davies with a banger here on Cleveland’s eye opening rookie.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/cavs-news-meleek-thomas-record-setting-nba-summer-league
WILL MALEEK ( if he plays ) GO FOR 30+ AGAIN—— EVEN THOUGH IT IS SL —STILL EXCITING THAT WE HAVE HIM / CAN DEVELOP HIM 👍🏀💪
put him down for another 35, to bring his average up to 30.0
Dunking With Wolves already has a hot take out that the T’Wolves passing on Meleek Thomas @ pick #33 for Isaiah Evans (who has shot 2-23 from the floor / 0-15 from downtown in summer league) is already a potential regret. I thought wow- what a dichotomy in performance between picks 33 & 34.
Also glad to see Bruce T showing out for Houston.
Could we get Dumars to take Harden off our hands if we include Tyson and a couple picks for Murphy? Is that a trade we’d want to make?
The 2031 first and a couple of seconds?
I don’t think that’s happening. They clearly have an unwritten agreement with Harden that they intend on honoring. Maybe at the trade deadline, but S&T seems unlikely.
maybe the Harden / Wiggins trade is more likely?
SO IF LEBRON “ DOESNT COME HOME “—— WHAT ARE KOBY s MOVES / DECISIONS—— WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE HIM TO DO———- COME HOME LEBRON
Great episode, guys! Lots of fun on this one.
Thanks!
Thank you Bob! Appreciate the love!
AGREED / JASON—- WHAT DO YOU THINK THE ODDS ARE THAT HE “IS COMING HOME “
I have no idea. I feel like we are ahead, if it was an election, I’d say it is with a plurality not a majority.
40/60? 35/65?
But if he starts eliminating teams, perhaps we creep over 50% first.
I think it is us or GSW. Philly 3rd.
Us and GS are what my guts say. With Philly in third. I guess we’ll find out with the documentary
My money is on a Thursday decision.
yeah he’s doing a podcast with Haliburton 16th and 17th?, expect an announcement on his show.
ZAIRE WAS HS TEAMMATE TO BRONNY
Lakers add Zaire Williams, 1/$3 mil. A forward we could have used for cheap.
And that is 3 good games in a row from Thomas. 2 if them REALLY good. I know it is SL, so grain of salt. But three in a row is harder to dismiss.
I hated the pick because it was another small guard, but if he can get buckets….we need that.
Looks like he has range too.
Yep. He isn’t toeing the line on a lot of those 3s.
Beyond his play, his attitude in interviews is intense. He’s not messing around!
TOTALLY AGREE RAOUL 👍—— GREAT ATTRIBUTE TO HAVE— “ ACT LIKE YOU’ VE BEEN THERE BEFORE “—- ANOTHER BROWNS GREAT NICK CHUBB WAS THE SAME AS BROWN———- I THINK THE CAVS “ STOLE “ ONE——- WHY I POSTED WHAT I DID DAY AFTER THEY DRAFTED HIM ABOUT “ SHOWING OUT “ IN SUMMER LEAGUE————UNDERSTANDABLY HE WILL HAVE BUMPS AND “ WARTS THAT WILL SURFACE “ BUT WHAT BETTER MENTOR THAN LEBRON TO SHOW THE KID THE ROPES———-COME HOME LEBRON !!!!!!!
As well as Ozzie Newsome.
I happened to be standing next to Oz a couple of times, and was suprised that I am bigger than he is.
PROPHETIC—“ MALEEK WILL TEAR UP SUMMER LEAGUE “—- 👍👍——35 PTS TONIGHT—- CMON LEBRON AND MENTOR THIS KID TO STARDOM 👍👍
haha — I had him penciled in for 40 tonight.
Meleek has one attribute that I totally love — zero showboating. he makes a great play and heads back on down the court like it was nothing — that is how Jim Brown did it. I am totally on the bandwagon.
now THAT is the shit I wanna hear! Elite skills with zero showboating.
and he looks even more like a “nerd/validictorian” than Mitchell
Good pod.
Spida and LBJ both sighted at Jay Z concert in NYC. IDK if they were together or not.
With Wade gone it is LeBron or bust. We need at least 1 other big wing in addition to the King. Still pathetically small out there and it isn’t like age 41/42 LeBron is anywhere close to an elite defender. He shoukd be playing more 4 if his back can take it.
Yep, I was never hitching my hopes to the the LeBron wagon but the minute they let Wade walk I was instantly desperate to find out if he’s coming back. No clue what the back-up plan will be if he doesn’t.
Unlikely Bronny gets cut. LBJ told the Lakers he was not coming back the day after it was guaranteed.
Agree 100% on liking Murphy better. No juice.
I believe we only have one pick (1st) we can trade.
Here is the math on picks, can only trade 7 years out & cannot do consecutive years.
2027: no first
2028: have, cannot trade
2029: no first
2030: have, cannot trade
2031: have, teadeable
2032: have, can trade, but not if 2031 goes
2033: have, frozen (2nd apron penalty)
Not counting on a cut. Counting on a trade.
Trent made $16-$18 for 3 years previous to the last two.
Branham, I believe, has 4 years of NBA experience, and is therefore ineligible for a 2 way deal (has to be 3 or fewer).
FWIW, I don’t think a couple good SL minutes is justification for PO minutes.
Giving LeBron the non-taxpayer MLE to LBJ would hard cap us at the first apron. That cannot happen.
FWIW, NBA Raptors were BEFORE LeBron in 2020, not after. They beat GSW with KD.
2026: NY
2025: OKC
2024: Boston
2023: Denver
2022: GSW
2021: Milwaukee
2020: Lakers
2019: Toronto
2018: GSW
2017: GSW
2016: Cavs
2015: GSW
To the start of LeBron:
2014: SA
2013: Miami
2012: Miami
2011: Dallas
2010: Lakers
2009: Lakers
2008: Boston
2007: SA
2006: Miami
2005: SA
2004: Detroit
2003: SA
Then you get into Shaq/Kobe, MJ, Dream, MJ. With Timmy/Admirals first thrown in.
2002: Lakers
2001: Lakers
2000: Lakers
1999: SA
1998: Bulls
1997: Bulls
1996: Bulls
1995: Houston
1994: Houston
1993: Bulls
1992: Bulls
1991: Bulls
Then you got the Bird/Magic era and the Bad Boy Pistons.
1990: Detroit
1989: Detroit
1988: Lakers
1987: Lakers
1986: Celtics
1985: Lakers
1984: Celtics
1983: 76ers
1982: Lakers
1981: Celtics
1980: Lakers
Seventies:
1979: Seattle Supersonics
1978: Washington Bullets
1977: Trailblazers
1976: Celtics NBA/NY Nets ABA
1975: GSW NBA/Kentucky Colonels ABA
1974: Celtics NBA/NY Nets ABA
1973: Knicks NBA/Pacers ABA
1972: Lakers NBA/Pacers ABA
1971: Bucks NBA/Utah Stars ABA
1970: Knicks NVA/Pacers ABA
Celtics Dynasty Era:
1969: NBA Celtics/ABA Oakland Oaks
1968: NBA Celtics/ABA Pittsburgh Pipers
1967: 76ers
1966: Celtics
1965: Celtics
1964: Celtics
1963: Celtics
1962: Celtics
1961: Celtics
1960: Celtics
1959: Celtics
1958: St. Louis Hawks
1957: Celtics
Pre Celtic Dynasty, post BAA/NBL merger, Mikan era:
1956: Philadelphia Warriors
1955: Syracuse Nationals
1954: Minneapolis Lakers
1953: Minmeapolis Lakers
1952: Minneapolis Lakers
1951: Rochester Royals
1950: Minneapolis Lakers
1949: BAA Lakers/NBL Anderson Duffy Packers
1948: BAA Baltimore Bullets/NBL Lakers
1947: BAA Warriors/NBL Chicago American Gears
NBL only era:
1946: Rochester Royals
1945: Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons
1944: Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons
1943: Sheboygan Red Skins
1942: Oshkosh All-Stars
1941: Oshkosh All-Stars
1940: Akron Firestone Non-Skids
1939: Akron Firestone Non-Skids
1938: Akron Goodyear Wingfiots
Regional Leagues and ABL before that.
the Akron era! a half century later, LeBron and Steph are born there
seem to recall the “Cleveland Pipers” when I was a kid. did they move to Pittsburgh?
If LeBron makes a choice, I think the announcement will be today, Thursday, or after the WC Final. The King will want max exposure and attention.
Weirdly, I agree with Chris. Less LBJ Cavs optimism than a week ago. Legit reasons for Philly (Maxey, no title since Moses/Dr.J in ’83), and Minny (Ant, no titles since Mikan) and GSW (Curry).
“Belly Boop” thank you guys for the Pritchard roast.
🙏🙏🙏🙏GUYS—-SO IF KLOVE IS PART OF THE‘PACKAGE’ DEAL—- DOES THAT HELP/ HINDER US —— MORE DIFFICULT MONEY WISE/ ROSTER WISE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN—— I HAVE ALWAYS LIKED KLOVE BUT IS HE EVEN A SERVICEABLE PLAYER AT THIS STAGE OF HIS CAREER
Be great to have him back for locker room vibes and as a solid 3rd stringer. But yes, if this theoretical team wants a shot at a chip I don’t think Kev can contribute much.e
any clue how things ended up so bad for Kev with the Cavs?
Player wants to play. Coach wants otherwise. An old story.
but why didn’t the coach want to play him, when he has had several good years since?
given that the Cavs were tanking after LeBron left, it would have been smart to trade Kev at that time. keeping him was a lose – lose event.