Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from Ron of FantasyBasketballMoneyLeagues.com. For more NBA news and updates, visit Fantasy Basketball Money Leagues today.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are one of the two teams that still have a real chance to land LeBron James. After the last meeting King James had with Pat Riley and other members of the Miami Heat’s front office, LeBron stated that he will take some time collect his thoughts and make up his mind. The Cleveland Cavaliers are eagerly waiting for James’s decision, which is yet another one which could drastically change the course of the franchise. But do the Cavs really need LeBron this time? Or maybe can the Cavaliers win it all without LeBron this time?
The Cavaliers has performed a bunch of radical changes since LeBron James left Cleveland four summers ago. This is a whole different team we’re talking about. The Cavs now have a new superstar in Kyrie Irving, along with several other young and emerging assets, like Dion Waiters and Andrew Wiggins. Most importantly, they seem capable of rising to the top once again in the near future.
Of course, the Cavaliers would see a massive upgrade in their firepower with LeBron onboard. Their chances to return to the playoffs, and even contend for the NBA Championship next season, would be greatly increased if King James returned to Cleveland.
However, the Cavaliers can return to success even without him. They have already managed to bring in tons of talent onboard. They have added three top draft picks since LeBron departed and also several other very promising and talented prospects. This summer, Cleveland also brought in one of the most respected coaches in Europe, David Blatt, who is considered to be an offensive mastermind. Blatt is capable of taking this young group, developing it and bringing it to the top.
Of course, the Cavs will need a few years to make it to the top. Irving and Waiters are just 22, and Andrew Wiggins, the No.1 pick of the 2014 NBA Draft, is only 19 years old. And of course, there are several other pieces which can be developed, like the former No.1 draft pick, Anthony Bennett. So, the Cavaliers now have a two or three year plan to make it to the top of the league. Most of the pieces are there for Cleveland. And even for those spots which still need an upgrade, such as the front line, the Cavs do have the financial flexibility to add some quality, difference making players. In fact, if LeBron eventually chooses another destination, the Cavaliers reportedly have a Plan B, which is to turn their attention towards Kevin Love.
So, yes, the Cavaliers are not yet a championship level team. They are projected to do much better than last season, but they obviously can’t compete against the best of the best - not unless they add one or more stars. However, they are projected to start their course towards the top of the league next season. With Wiggins, Irving and Waiters onboard, along a new head coach at the helm, things currently look betterfor Cleveland than at any time since LeBron took his talents to South Beach.
Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports) and like Holdout Sports on Facebook.
