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These are not the playmakers LeBron James is looking for

By Brad Berreman

Jan 25, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) talks to his teammates during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Quicken Loans Arena. The Kings won 116-112. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) talks to his teammates during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Quicken Loans Arena. The Kings won 116-112. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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In an attempt to appease LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers will hold a group workout on Wednesday. Here’s why none of the three known participants are the answer.

LeBron James has been the picture of frustration lately, as the Cleveland Cavaliers just finished with a 7-8 record in January. From calling for the team to add a playmaker, to reportedly being at odds with owner Dan Gilbert regarding spending, to lashing out at Charles Barkley, “The King” is clearly in a bad mood.

The Cavaliers are already over the NBA’s salary cap, and into significant luxury tax territory, so their flexibility to make trades or add anyone that is available is limited. But they will reportedly hold a unique workout on Wednesday, with veterans Mario Chalmers, Kirk Hinrich and Lance Stephenson among a group of free agents that will attend the session.

The Cavaliers have one roster spot available right now. They can easily create another by waiving injured big man Chris Anderson, who will not play again this season due to a knee injury. So one or two immediate signings could come out of the Wednesday workout session.

But among the three known attendees, here is why Chalmers, Hinrich and Stephenson are not the kind of playmakers James is looking for.

3. The case against Lance Stephenson

Since something of a breakout 2013-14 season with the Indiana Pacers (13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game), Stephenson has played for the Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans. He played six games for the Pelicans earlier this season, before suffering a groin injury that required surgery and being waived in early November.

Stephenson is apparently now fully healthy after rehabbing his groin issue. But outside of a 26-game stretch with the Grizzlies last season, when he averaged 14.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists per contest, “Born Ready” has shown no signs of his 2013-14 form with the Pacers over the last couple seasons.

Stephenson, at somehow still just 26-years old, probably has the highest upside of the trio of veterans named to be taking part in the Cavaliers’ workout. But if James wants a playmaker added to the fold, and more specifically a proven veteran backup to point guard Kyrie Irving, Stephenson does not fit that mold at all. Quite frankly he profiles very closely to J.R. Smith, except without the deadly outside shooting, and the Cavaliers can just wait for Smith to return from a fractured thumb in a couple of months if they want that kind of player.

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