The Cleveland Cavaliers and Tristan Thompson have still not yet agreed on a contract and things likely will extend into this season if a deal isn't signed soon. LeBron James said that he is confident in Kevin Love and the makeup of the roster and this comes as players like Quinn Cook and Jared Cunningham are trying to make the team with Kyrie Irving still out with an injury.
The Cavaliers have started off the preseason with three straight losses, but head coach David Blatt said that he is not concerned about the Cavs record right now. The team is trying to stay healthy heading into the season, as players like Kyrie Irving, Iman Shumpert and Tristan Thompson are not currently active. Irving and Shumpert are recovering from injuries, while Thompson remains unsigned from the summer and his holdout for a new contract could extend into the regular season.
JR Smith is dealing with a hamstring injury and has missed two straight games, but according to ESPN.com, the injury likely will not keep him from playing in the season opener at this point. LeBron James was asked about the slow start in the preseason and James said that he is not worried about the losses after the team fell to the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night. James said that the losses are "not frustrating" and that he is confident that Kevin Love and Irving can return healthy when they are recovered from injuries.
Love is coming back sooner than Irving, as he is on track to play in the opener and according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com, Love was able to return to 5-on-5 team practice for the first time since he was injured in the playoffs last season. Love had shoulder surgery in the offseason after getting injured against the Boston Celtics and while he has not been confirmed to be ready for opening night, all signs point to him playing in the first game for the Cavaliers.
Irving does not have a set return date, but according to Yahoo Sports the point guard could be closer to returning than previously expected. Irving had knee surgery in the offseason after getting injured in the finals and he could be out for "several weeks" as opposed to months when the season starts. The Cavs are going to be cautious with Irving, but he could be back within a month of the season starting. The Thompson situation is continuing to stall for the Cavs and Brian Windhorst at ESPN reports that the holdout could extend into the season if a deal is not struck within the next week or two.
Jared Cunningham and Quinn Cook are trying to take advantage of Thompson and Irving being out of action and one of those players could make the roster out of camp. According to Fear the Sword at SB Nation, Cunningham is the "favorite" to win the spot and there is a chance that Cook also could make the team if Thompson doesn't return and leaves a spot open to start the season. Cunningham has been playing well in the preseason and he had 13 points in the last game for the Cavs.
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