Sir Charles in Charge
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NBA Free Agency: How tanking might be the best way to lure LeBron James

By David Early

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 14: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers listens to LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers after the game at Quicken Loans Arena on December 14, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Lakers 121-112. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 14: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers listens to LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers after the game at Quicken Loans Arena on December 14, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Lakers 121-112. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Cavaliers

Years of Misery 2011-2014

Wins: 19*, 21, 24, 33

Four Year Record Rank (2011-14): 30th, Dead Last

*Lockout Shortened Season

After LeBron’s big “Decision,” he left in 2010 and the Cavs didn’t waste time. They had one All-Star left on the team, in Mo “The Godfather” Williams and they traded him to the Clippers for one of the worst player contracts in the league at the time, the corpse of Baron Davis, plus an unprotected pick. Here is what former Clippers GM, Neil Olshey had to say at the time:

"[via ESPN] “The drill is, as always, is ‘Is the player you’re getting back more valuable than the potential               you could get in the draft?…. And I’m not that high on the draft to begin with this year.”"

The pick ended up being first, and Kyrie Irving was selected by Cleveland. Over the last seven years this quote has aged like a fine lemon yogurt left sitting on a coffee table. Complex’s Caleb Su called it one of the 10 worst trades of the last 15 years for The Clips in early 2017. Here were his thoughts:

"“At the time, the trade was just a ploy for the Clippers to get rid of Davis’s contract, as they      packaged an unprotected first-round pick to the Cavs for Mo Williams, who had just made an All-Star appearance. The Cavs struck gold as the draft pick would become …Kyrie Irving…. Does LeBron come back to Cleveland if they don’t make this trade?”"

I’m going to venture not.

More from Sir Charles In Charge

Their own pick that year was 4th overall, and they selected Tristan Thompson. But they weren’t done. Lead by coach Byron Scott and their 19-year-old point guard, the Cavs didn’t turn things around anytime soon. They stunk again and drafted Dion Waiters 4th overall in June of 2012.

And followed that up with another stinker of a year and another 1st overall pick, this time selecting Canadian phenom, Anthony Bennett. (OK maybe there is a better word than phenom). And finally, in 2014, they stunk and won the lottery yet again! With just a 1.7 percent chance of getting the top pick, they did just that and took another Canadian, Andrew Wiggins.

All of that draft capital (and the cap-space that opens up when a sizable portion of your roster is on rookie-contracts) was exactly what lured LeBron to return. Cleveland stunk in ’03 before they drafted the Akron product, and they convinced him to come back home years later by diligently rebuilding through the draft once again.

Like a spouse allowing his or her partner a few years to get your s—t together.

Let’s start over. Call me when you’re really ready for me. 

And four years later, he was listening but he had a few terms.

Things just can’t be like how they used to be though, k baby?

General manager David Griffin (or GM LeBron) kept Kyrie and Tristan Thompson, and traded the rest of the assets (before they were totally devoid of value) for Kevin Love so LeBron signed on the dotted line. Soon, they’d use the rest of the tank draft capital to bring in Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith. Amazingly, just two years later, the team would win their first ever championship.

Of course it took a ton of luck and it still probably doesn’t happen if LeBron wasn’t from Ohio. But it’s certain he wouldn’t have even considered returning if they hadn’t accumulated so much draft capital and at least one clear star. And now, either because of the players the lottery years produced by draft or trade, apparently he might even stay.

Lessons for teams today: The ping-pong balls don’t care how you got there. So draft high and often even if it means trading your only good players and stinking for several years. Also, your own picks may not be enough so be sure to supplement with other team’s picks as well. If you have a coach who doesn’t win you any games, keep him for three years!

Rest assured, even if you stink at drafting you may get at least one star with numerous top 5 picks. Plus, you can always bundle a few and trade them for All-Stars or helpful role-players. Oh, and remember: if you get a bust, try and diagnosis the situation quickly and get what you can before others notice! Once you have some legitimate hope and some cap space, top free agents may want to hear your pitch. 

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