Photo Credit: David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty
NBA free agency started less than a week ago and already teams look completely different. Many teams are going after free agents, like LaMarcus Aldridge, to rejuvenate their franchise, but one team is looking to only keep their free agents close to home. The reigning Eastern Conference champs, the Cleveland Cavaliers, have already locked up Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson.
Love, who many were unsure of how happy he was to be in Cleveland, took a five year deal worth $110 million to stay. It was most likely the best situation for Love and the Cavs. They get to keep one of the best forwards in the game and Love gets to play for a contender while making superstar money. Thompson, who many thought would bolt to look for a starting role, stayed with the team for a five-year deal worth $80 million.
The team also locked up Iman Shumpert, a player known for his defense. Shumpert signed a four-year deal worth $40 million, a little high for a player who only averaged eight points per game in the regular season. As if that was not enough, the team is also closing in on a multi-year deal with backup point guard Matthew Dellavedova.
Of course, all of these signing are important, but there is one player the team does not currently have under contract that can make or break the team’s success. Sorry JR Smith, but it is actually LeBron James. James opted out of his contract and is currently a free agent. However, he isn’t expected to bolt this time around and instead is looking for a one-year deal before signing a long term deal when the NBA salary cap jumps.
