Former Miami Heat teammates Dwyane Wade (L) and LeBron James. (Photo : Getty Images)
The Cleveland Cavaliers championship reign seems to have ended prematurely, as many pundits have shifted their attention to the Golden State Warriors.
The Cavs could not even enjoy being the odds-on favorite to win the championship in the 2016-17 season (some would say they never even got there in the first place) for two weeks as the Kevin Durant decision quickly made them the overwhelming favorites.
But LeBron James seems unperturbed. He won the championship and he has sealed his legacy as Cleveland's savior. Nothing could take that away from him and he knows it.
Not that his career is over or he doesn't have goals. There were some who suspected that he the King is not driven anymore which is why he felt the need to remind everyone that he is "chasing a ghost" in a Sports Illustrated piece by Lee Jenkins, who was also involved with James' return essay.
It would be very entertaining if the Cavs made a counter move after Durant chose the Golden State Warriors, like the DeMarcus Cousins trade that ran the rumor mill for the better part of July, before the Russell Westbrook to Boston rumors took over. Both trade rumors, while currently not progressing, cannot be totally ruled out.
Those trade rumors will persist because the players and teams involved have real motivations to make changes. What about the Cavs? They are the champions and much as we would want them to gnash their teeth at the Warriors, they can't be blamed for relishing the moment.
Neither can LeBron be blamed for shifting to his own personal agenda now that his mission is accomplished. Durant leaving Oklahoma actually helped seal his legacy. LeBron won a title with the team that drafted him, Durant didn't. No matter how many titles the Warriors end up winning with KD, James will still have the better legacy and therefore, James has nothing to chase.
Which brings the point that we established-LeBron is not beholden to winning in Cleveland anymore. He would love to, but there are other things on his mind, like playing with his friends.
Every time Wade and LeBron would meet, there is always suspicion. They've done it before, they could do it again. The situation with the Miami Heat saw Wade go head-to-head with "the Godfather." But LeBron already thrashed him two seasons ago.
Why did Wade not sign with Cleveland? Money was a factor, but ESPN host and Miami Herald writer Dan LeBatard explained further.
"Cleveland is also the only place Wade could go where Heat fans would blame him and not stubborn management for losing him. Riley can dare Wade to go to Denver or Milwaukee (Chicago hasn't entered the scene when this was written) over dollars; he can't dare him to go to Cleveland," LeBatard said.
There was no way for the Cavs to offer Wade the money with their cap situation. It's also bad PR to break up a championship core. But the entire NBA can see the Bulls are not an ideal fit. The Cavs have yet to sign JR Smith (and LeBron James for that matter). LeBatard can see something down the line.
"..Because he (LeBron) runs the joint in Cleveland, he could work behind the scenes to get his friend money from (Chicago, not Denver or Milwaukee anymore) with the understanding that Cleveland will trade for Wade on Dec. 15. Collusion? Yeah, whatever."
There are many scenarios for this, like Kevin Love and JR Smith (if they eventually sign him) for Wade and Robin Lopez or some other Chicago big. LeBatard did not give particulars, only the possibility that Wade is just taking a necessary stepping stone to his ultimate destination.
