LeBron James’ exit from the Los Angeles Lakers has opened the door to all kinds of speculation, and the Cleveland Cavaliers are bound to be near the front of that line. If James is truly looking for the team that gives him “happiness,” Cleveland suddenly has a case to make - especially if the goal is one last run at a title.
That’s where Brian Windhorst sees a real angle for the Cavs. On NBA Today, the ESPN insider said Cleveland could try to grab James’ attention by swinging big for Jaylen Brown.
“Can the Cavs make a move for Jaylen Brown then come to LeBron and say, ‘How do you feel about us now? That’s the type of move you’re gonna do to get LeBron James’ attention,” Windhorst said.
The thinking is simple: if the Cavs want James to view them as serious championship hunters, they may need to show him something dramatic. Brown would address a long-standing need on the roster, giving Cleveland the kind of wing presence it has lacked for a while.
The Cavs have been described as a team with real talent in the backcourt, featuring Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, and a strong frontcourt tandem in Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. What they’ve been missing is that versatile wing who can do a little bit of everything, the sort of piece that can round out a title-caliber group.
There are also rumors tying Cleveland to a possible Mobley-Brown swap with the Boston Celtics. If James likes what he sees, the Cavaliers could make their pitch to bring the NBA’s all-time leading scorer back to the place where it all started.
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Cavs May Have Their Cheapest Answer To A Familiar Wing Problem
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Williams brings defensive appeal and enough upside to make him an interesting development bet, especially in Kenny Atkinsons system, where the Cavs have shown a willingness to try to unlock more from young players. He also offers a possible cushion if Dean Wades free agency takes him elsewhere, which gives this pursuit a practical edge beyond simply adding another body on the wing. [Read more 🡒]
Cavs Just Lost A Defensive Piece Fans Thought Would Stick
Keon Ellis looked like the kind of depth piece the Cavaliers could keep around for a while after arriving in the DeAndre Hunter deal with Sacramento. He brought defensive energy, gave Cleveland useful minutes during the regular season, and showed enough versatility in 29 games to suggest he could carve out a longer stay in the back end of the roster.
Instead, Ellis is headed into a different situation after landing a two-year deal with Brooklyn, a move that gives him a clearer path to playing time on a rebuilding team. For Cleveland, it is another reminder that even useful defensive pieces can be tough to retain when the market offers a longer commitment and a more defined role. [Read more 🡒]