Fansided

NBA post-free agency power rankings

By Brendon Kleen

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers attends a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers attends a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEAGS, NV – JULY 16: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 16, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEAGS, NV – JULY 16: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 16, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

22. Cleveland Cavaliers

“Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.”

The evergreen words of Percy Bysshe Shelley identify acutely what LeBron James has left behind him in Cleveland. No, it is not his concern what remains after bringing the Cavaliers their first NBA championship. Any number of franchises would give up their entire past, present and future to experience what James brought to Cleveland for 11 seasons.

But it’s not as if there’s a lot of short-term hope for the Cavs.

This time around, unlike 2014, they got nothing in return for James. If they are to salvage the roster after seeing the King bolt for Los Angeles on a four-year contract, it will have to be based upon the return they muster for veterans such as Kevin Love and Kyle Korver. Each is a productive piece on an expiring contract, and getting rid of them will allow more time for the young trio of Collin Sexton, Cedi Osman and Ante Zizic.

Cleveland still has Rodney Hood outstanding on its books, a qualifying offer linking the two parties and giving the Cavs the advantage in retaining him. Unless one of the few teams with remaining money to spend mounts a serious offer for Hood, he will be back in Cleveland for at least one season. He, Larry Nance and Jordan Clarkson, the bounty from February’s trade deadline, could potentially be part of the Cavs’ future alongside Osman, Sexton and Zizic.

The priority heading into 2019 should be to land in the top ten in the draft to avoid sending their pick to Atlanta, and get maximum value in trading Love and Korver. Swallowing another rebuild will be difficult for Cleveland, but the hardest part is already over.

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