The Cavaliers are not being fully dismissed in the LeBron James conversation just yet, even as a return to the Los Angeles Lakers and interest from the Golden State Warriors remain in play. A front-office shift in Cleveland could be the kind of move that changes the path back into the race.
NBA insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson said the team’s recent loss of Mike Gansey to the Philadelphia 76ers could lead to a familiar name coming back if Brandon Weems is not promoted into the full-time general manager role. That name is David Griffin, the executive who helped bring James back to Cleveland in 2014.
Why Griffin Still Matters
Griffin was the Cavaliers’ GM when James returned from the Miami Heat and helped reshape the roster around him. He also pushed the six-player trade that brought Kevin Love to Cleveland, creating the core of a Big Three with James and Kyrie Irving.
From there, Griffin helped add more championship pieces through trades, including J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert, and Timofey Mozgov. That history is why his name still carries weight whenever Cleveland’s long-term basketball direction comes up.
What Would Need To Happen Financially
The path back would not be simple, and Robinson said the numbers would require several moves to line up. James Harden would need to sign a team-friendly extension, while Dean Wade would have to be moved after his bird rights are renounced and Max Strus would need to be traded.
Robinson also said James could be an MLE option or part of a sign-and-trade. He added that the Lakers are not offering anything close to a max contract right now, which could leave room for other teams to stay involved.
That is where Cleveland may still fit, even if Golden State is also mentioned as a possible challenger with the mid-level exception. For the Cavaliers, the front-office decision around Weems and Griffin may end up shaping whether the LeBron pursuit stays alive at all.
