Brian Windhorst added another layer of intrigue to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ offseason on Tuesday, saying the team is actively working on trades while declining to say who might be involved.
The ESPN insider made the comments on ESPN Cleveland, where he kept the details vague but made clear something is happening behind the scenes. “They are working on trades - I’m not going to tell you who they’re working on because I can’t deal with it in my life,” Windhorst said on ESPN Cleveland.
That nugget landed at a particularly noisy moment for Cleveland. Earlier Tuesday, Chris Haynes reported that the Cavaliers have interest in a reunion with LeBron James. “Cleveland Cavaliers have interest in a second reunion with LeBron James with the appeal of the franchise’s greatest player finishing his career where it all started,” Haynes reported.
Windhorst, though, poured a little cold water on that idea. He said the Cavaliers are not a “realistic option” for James right now.
“I don’t think the Cavs are a realistic option,” Windhorst said. “I’ve not heard the Cavs are out but I’ve certainly not heard that they’re in.
So, I’m not considering that as an option at the moment.”
At the same time, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Cavaliers are expected to bring back All-Star guard James Harden on a multi-year extension.
If Cleveland does move pieces around in the trade market, that could change the conversation. For now, though, Windhorst said the Golden State Warriors are the team in the lead for James.
In Other News...
Guardians Rookie Faces More Heat As Rough Lesson Continues
Cooper Ingles growing pains in left field continued against the White Sox, where the Guardians rookie was charged with his second error in two games after dropping a fly ball. The miscue stood out because Ingle is still a catcher by trade and is only beginning to learn the demands of a new position after a recent promotion.
Stephen Vogt has already tried to frame the situation as part of the learning curve, urging Ingle to move past the first mistake and keep playing. For Cleveland, the larger question is how quickly a player with so little outfield experience can settle in while the club keeps asking him to handle a spot that is still very new to him. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Suddenly Have A Breakout Star On The Verge Of Recognition
Parker Messick has gone from an afterthought in spring training to one of the most interesting pitchers in Clevelands season, giving the Guardians a legitimate breakout arm at a time when they needed one. The left-hander has paired steady results with strong underlying metrics, and his 2.85 ERA has put him among the American Leagues better starters while earning attention well beyond the clubhouse.
With All-Star rosters still not finalized, Messick is suddenly in the conversation as a possible first-time selection, which would be a remarkable turn for a pitcher who was not expected to be in the rotation out of camp. He has already turned heads inside the game, and the next step is whether that recognition turns into a trip to the midsummer showcase, something he has made clear would carry real meaning for him. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Seized Control Of The Central In Unbelievable Fashion
Chicago had spent much of the night looking like the sharper team, jumping on Cleveland early and putting the Guardians in a familiar chase mode at Progressive Field. But the home team kept hanging around, and the game turned into the kind of late-inning grind that can change the feel of a season, especially when first place in the AL Central is sitting there for the taking.
Brayan Rocchio delivered the swing that made it happen, a two-run shot in the ninth that sent Cleveland home with a 6-5 win and its second walk-off victory of his career. The result pushed the Guardians into sole possession of first in the division on a percentage basis, another reminder of how quickly a race can flip when a club keeps finding ways to finish. [Read more 🡒]