​The Cavaliers are expected to be active after their trade, in hopes of landing LeBron James, according to The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. If Cleveland is as serious about pursuing James in free agency as they appear, there will likely be several moves in the coming days. It’s still unclear when James will announce his decision, though some have speculated it could come after Summer League, which is just a few weeks away.
There are many reasons it would make sense for the Cavaliers to target James, and at the very least, it would be thrilling to witness from an NBA standpoint. It would be meaningful to see him receive a final goodbye from the city that helped shape his NBA career. In terms of how this could unfold, one Athletic reporter recently laid out a scenario, noting it’s not as simple as it might seem if Cleveland hopes to pay him more money.
As of now, there hasn’t been any definitive movement. The Cavaliers are in a holding pattern, with one or two roster adjustments needed to be able to offer James around $15 million next season, potentially by unloading Max Strus and Dennis Schröder, though neither move has been made yet. The report from The Athletic’s Joe Vardon emphasizes that Cleveland, like other teams pursuing James, remains in wait-and-see mode.
Vardon noted that the Cavaliers could make those changes even if James does not sign with them, or they might refrain from doing so if he chooses them. Trading Strus for cap relief would reduce their depth after losing Dean Wade, so if James doesn’t prioritize money, Cleveland might keep Strus—and possibly Schröder—on the roster. However, releasing either player without obtaining assets would push Cleveland below next season’s first luxury tax apron, granting the Cavs greater flexibility to upgrade the roster at the trade deadline. This is a strategic consideration teams will face as they pursue James.
If a vehicle exists to add James for a lower price, it could alter the entire dynamic, but there is no certainty he would accept a veteran minimum deal. If he won’t, teams will need flexibility in their plans, a reality the Cavaliers may have to confront this summer.