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Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron’s free agent decision likely hinges on the trade deadline

By David Weiss

CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 20: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers waits for the ball to be put into play during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Quicken Loans Arena on January 20, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 20: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers waits for the ball to be put into play during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Quicken Loans Arena on January 20, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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LeBron has a huge free agent decision to make this summer, and whether he stays with the Cleveland Cavaliers likely hinges on what happens at the trade deadline

The most compelling subplot accompanying Thursdays NBA Trade Deadline is whether the Cleveland Cavaliers will make a transaction sufficient enough to legitimate its chances of dethroning the prohibitive NBA Finals favorite Golden State Warriors.

More specifically, some light will finally be shed on what will be the biggest NBA story since Kevin Durant joined a 73-win team and irrevocably changed the competitive landscape of the league for the foreseeable future.

The next stone to be cast will come when LeBron James will enter this summer as a free agent and the credited creator of the super-team era will finally have his opportunity to narrow the competitive gap created in Durant’s free agency.

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The question is whether he will do so in Cleveland or again forsake his hometown team.

The outcome of Thursday’s deadline will uncover the solution to that question. Here is what is unknown and known at this point.

1. No one can presume where LeBron James will play next season as his motives remain unclear in
the 15th season of his NBA career.

2. The argument on whether he may overtake Michael Jordan’s place atop the legacy ladder ended
in the face of last year’s failed championship run, leaving his Finals record of 3-5 a far cry behind
his predecessor’s unblemished record in six appearances.

3. With his longstanding “chase against the ghost” quest having resolved itself, interests such as
obtaining a “silent” ownership stake of a franchise to position his post-NBA career may play a
larger role than his previously held motive of stacking the deck with a roster of stars to help
collect championships.

4. The Brooklyn Nets pick that Cleveland currently holds serves as the only source of insurance the
team can rest its head on should James leave, thereby making it an immovable asset. A sobering
lesson learned by Cavs owner Dan Gilbert after a famed telecast held in 2010.

5. The Nets pick is not the only asset the Cavs can whittle. Argue if you will whether the expiring
contracts of Isaiah Thomas and Channing Frye or the teams own first-round pick can fetch
anything worthy of moving the needle, but the trade of Blake Griffin this past week proved that
franchises are more willing than ever before to endure rebuilding over mediocrity.

A likely by-product of the publicized “success” that has come from organizations such as the Philadelphia “Process” 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks placing a commitment to its future and exercising a prudence on patience as a result. This is noteworthy as a package of Kemba Walker and Nicholas Batum is a move that would make the Cavs considerably better.

Walker would offset the defensive liability the Cavs now carry with Thomas in its starting lineup in addition to offering similar offensive production, while Batum’s shooting and defense would be a welcome benefit for a team currently starved for both.

6. Ending the discussion is whether any move the Cavs could make would make enough of a
difference to beat the Warriors. Or, that if the re-fortified Cavs are able to defeat the defending
champions, whether LeBron will want to extend his career in Cleveland thereafter. James provided his own insurance for leaving the franchise when he won the city its lone championship in 2016.

Must Read: NBA Trade Rumors: 5 teams that need to be buyers

All that can be said with certainty henceforth is that if the Cleveland Cavaliers fail to secure a deal with enough merit to improve its championship odds by this Thursday’s deadline, it will assure James departure this summer. And the speculation on potential landing spots that he will be rumored to go to can finally be taken seriously.

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