The Cavaliers’ personnel decisions in the next four months can’t be driven merely by fine-tuning a roster to beat the champion Golden State Warriors.
They must also be mindful of the fact that LeBron James could leave Cleveland for the second time after next season.
James, 32, needs more help — especially from an aging and embarrassingly underperforming bench — in the wake of the Cavs’ elimination in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. The Golden State Warriors captured the title for the second time in three seasons and show no signs of that run ending, with Finals Most Valuable Player Kevin Durant among those willing to take less money for the chance to earn more rings.