Dwyane Wade and LeBron James (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Cleveland Cavaliers were expected to have a quiet offseason and simply re-sign the members of their core. Instead they were besieged by persistent trade rumors and a failed negotiation.
Last summer, the Cavs had a stakeout with Tristan Thompson who emerged as a key figure in their run to the 2015 NBA Finals where they lost to the Golden State Warriors. Thompson took a tough stance and it should be noted that he was a client of Rich Paul, agent and associate of LeBron James.
One would think that the Cavs had learned their lesson now that they have taken their "revenge" on the Warriors and emerged as champions but they are still in a similar situation with JR Smith, another Paul client.
According to various reports, the situation has drawn the ire of LeBron James. It should be noted that James, in his video message confirming that he'll re-sign with the Cavs, specifically called out the JR Smith situation (h/t NBA.com)
"I just can't wait to get the group back together man, the team, the franchise, and more importantly get everybody together." James said. "Let's get J.R. done. It's that time."
It has been almost a month since that announcement and Smith has yet to place pen on paper on a deal. Will LeBron James intervene? Should the Cavs fans feel antsy at this point?
A situation like this is rife for NBA trade rumors, just like the Tristan Thompson situation triggered numerous scenarios. There were reports that Thompson would return to Canada to play for the Raptors, who actually needed help at the power forward spot. Of course, we all know how that ended.
Earlier this offseason, there were some rumblings of Dwyane Wade joining the Cavaliers after he had his own standoff with the Miami Heat. While the main basis for that was Wade and James vacationing together and allegedly being on the same plane as Cavs owner Dan Gilbert, the cap situation closed that door and eventually, Wade ended up in Chicago.
There is still much reason to believe that Wade's stay with the Bulls is not a permanent one. While Wade has deep ties in the Windy City since it's his hometown, the basketball fit is questionable, as NBC portrays.
"(Jimmy) Butler, Wade, and (Rajon) Rondo are three guys who work best with the ball in their hands slashing to the rim. Three guys doing the same thing is defendable. Plus, NBA rules still allow just one ball on the court at a time," Kurt Helin of NBC stated. Helin also noted the fact that the three "alphas" are not great shooters which exacerbates the dilemma.
It seems simplistic to add one and one together to formulate a rumor that Wade is going to the Cavs (in December once he is eligible to trade). The Cavs could lose their shooting guard, Wade's situation doesn't work out-it could all fall into place. Stranger things have happened in the NBA.
