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Cleveland Cavaliers: Why the Cavs have a chance to make the playoffs in 2018-19

By Martin Burnyeat

Cleveland Cavaliers J.R. Smith Kevin Love (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Cleveland Cavaliers J.R. Smith Kevin Love (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 3: Tristan Thompson #13 and JR Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate after Thompson scored during the second half of Game Two of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals against the Toronto Raptors at Quicken Loans Arena on May 3, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Raptors 125-103. 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 – MAY 3: Tristan Thompson #13 and JR Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate after Thompson scored during the second half of Game Two of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals against the Toronto Raptors at Quicken Loans Arena on May 3, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Raptors 125-103. 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) /

Getting the best out of the “untradeables”

When a team has George Hill, Tristan Thompson, and J.R. Smith taking up almost 50 percent of their salary, that is of course a warning sign that the season is headed downhill, and fast. There is obviously a concern that Cleveland’s high-earners will take their foot of the gas after reaching the Finals, and now with LeBron out of Cleveland, there is no one who can take the reins of the squad and keep their focus in check.

The responsibility now lies with Ty Lue and the coaching staff to get the best out of the “untradeables”, and if he can squeeze as much juice out of them as possible they have a shot at making the playoffs, maybe even increase in trade value – but let’s not dare to dream. The key here is getting reliable use out of the high-priced veterans on the roster as they’re not looking go anywhere any time soon without Cleveland paying for it in assets.

light. Related Story. NBA Offseason Wrap Up: Out West, the Warriors reign supreme

It’s unfortunate that key minutes will most likely be distributed among them, but these guys have playoff-level experience, and hopefully they can take on a leadership mentality for next season and commit to competing every night to make the playoffs without LeBron.

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