NBA Free Agency 2018: One signing every team should make

Cleveland Cavaliers — LeBron James

LeBron James being the focus of the Cavs’ summer is obvious, but also unavoidable. Until Cleveland knows James’ decision, they are unlikely to make any other moves. If he stays, look for them to try and improve the roster immediately while not entirely sacrificing the few young players — Cedi Osman, Collin Sexton and Ante Zizic — they’ve scooped up in the last year-plus. If he goes, be it to Los Angeles or somewhere else, it would makes sense for Cleveland to start shedding salary and kickstarting the rebuild. Remember: they owe a top-10 protected pick to the Hawks in 2019 or 2020; if it does not convey in either of those two years, it becomes two second rounders. Keeping those picks would be a big for a rebuild.

Not knowing LeBron’s decision  had to be expected by the Cavs, but it also just makes planning for their summer harder. There are two paths based on what he does and both are entirely different and require different values. In that regard, their free agency begins and ends with his decision. It is impossible to know what actually makes sense for Cleveland as an organization until they know what LeBron James is going to do.

Regardless, money is tight in Cleveland unless they shed salary in a hurry. With LeBron, they are a luxury tax team. Without him,, they are still over the cap and can’t spend big this summer. When the Cavs make moves in free agency, it is likely to be on the edges to free agency as opposed to in the thick of it.