The Cleveland Cavaliers' roster is coming apart as free agency is just around the corner, but just as quickly as several players opt out, they could easily be re-signed in the coming weeks. However, it is that small window that has fans worried as every team in the league is preparing to call Kevin Love and LeBron James hoping to at least speak to a person and not a voice mail. Will the Cavaliers be able to retain their current stars while adding other talent to please everyone for 2015?
As expected, James informed the Cleveland Cavaliers that he was opting out of his $21.6 million player option for the upcoming season. This announcement follows the decisions from both Love and JR Smith to opt out of their options. However, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com, James will be re-signing with the Cavaliers, but is waiting until the team makes other free agency moves. James has no meetings scheduled with other teams and likely will not be taking any. James is likely just putting some added pressure on the Cavaliers to bring in talent so Cleveland can be back in the NBA Finals next year.
The pressure is on Cleveland. According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, James has no plans to actively recruit Love back to the team. He believes that Love should understand that returning to the Cavaliers means returning to something special. Love has maintained that he wants to stay in Cleveland because the Cavaliers give him the best chance at winning, but several teams are hoping to at least get a meeting with the forward first.
Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com is reporting Smith is expected to return in the coming season after he opted out of his $6.4 million option. Smith wants a raise which might be hard to come by as both James and Love want the same thing along with a max contract to Tristan Thompson. General manager David Griffin has stated the Cavaliers are open to bringing back Smith, but other free agent options could present themselves first.
With players like Brendan Haywood and Anderson Varejao potentially on the trade market, the Cavaliers are trying to free up a small amount of space to adding some talent to the team. Who that will be is the best question. According to the Miami Herald, there have been talks that Jams was planning on recruiting former teammate Dwyane Wade to the Cavaliers. Mo Williams has expressed a desire to return to Cleveland. Iman Shumpert could also return to help on defense.