Will LeBron James Leave the Cavaliers in 2010?
King James and His Decision to Remain a Cav or Become a Knick
Jun 15, 2009
LeBron James has a monumental decision facing him after he completes the 2010 season on whether or not to remain a Cleveland Cavalier or to become a New York Knick. As he stormed off the court after his Cavs were defeated in the Eastern Conference Finals by the Orlando Magic many Knicks fans took his public frustration as a sign that his appearance in the white, blue, and orange is undeniable.
Unfortunately for Knicks fans, LeBron's decision is not quite so black and white. If either team wishes to obtain LeBron for the 2010 season there is three areas in which both teams need to improve through; the upcoming draft, free agency market, and trades.
The 2009 NBA Draft
The draft is more important for the Cleveland Cavaliers than for the Knicks. The Knicks are a relatively young team whereas the Cavs have a couple key positions where the age of the player can become a hindrance, most notably their center, Zydrunas Ilgauskas as well as Wally Szczerbiak and Ben Wallace.
Szczerbiak is supposed to be able to provide a spark off the bench as a knock-down three-point artist, but has been unable to sustain any productivity for the Cavs especially during the playoffs. Ben Wallace hasn't been able to return to his Detroit Pistons and defensive player of the year days. Without his dominance on the boards and protection of the basket he is unable to provide any actual production because he is offensively challenged.
The Cavs starting center, Ilgauskas, backup center, Wallace, and their spark off the bench, Szczerbiak at times have all been plagued with injury and their production has been slowly slipping evident in this year's Eastern Conference Finals where only LeBron showed any consistent offensive output.
Although the Cavs should look to become younger at the center position, they should not waste a draft pick on anyone. The draft is usually stocked with young, athletic wing men and from the Orlando series we were able to watch the Cavs wing men fail at guarding Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu. The Cavs need to be younger, taller, and more potent offensively by the end of 2010 to be able to lure LeBron back to the city of Cleveland.
2010 NBA Free Agency MarketBoth teams should look to improve through free agency. Each team should look to find a solid low-post threat that can both rebound and score between fifteen and twenty points a game. There are talks of Cleveland pursuing Shaquille O'Neal which may help them for the 2009-2010 season, but will have no impact for their long-term future.
With Chris Bosh reportedly going to the Knicks in 2010 they should look to improve their guard and bench play. Trevor Ariza, fresh off his first NBA title with the Lakers, is a free agent and although the Lakers most likely will do everything in their power to keep him, Ariza has found a consistent jump shot, can defend the perimeter, and has explosive power off of the dribble. With his athleticism, wingspan, and height the Knicks should look to bring back the one-time Knick.
For Cleveland, finding a dominant low-post threat is more imminent. Carlos Boozer has shown interest in leaving the Utah Jazz. He crashes the boards, defends well, and has both low-post moves and a solid ten foot jump shot. The Cavs can look to bring in Shaq to help solve their long-term problem of stopping Dwight Howard with a short-term solution, but bringing in Boozer will catapult the Cavs from the cusp of the NBA Finals to a dangerous participant.
Trades Whatever missing parts the teams are unable to fill through the draft and the free agency market they should look to fill through trades. Shaq is not a free agent and he would be a short term fix to the Cavs low-post woes if he can stay healthy.
Cleveland would want to sure up their wing men and bench. Mo Williams is a solid player, but they need a more consistent scorer to back LeBron. Williams struggled through the Eastern Conference Finals along with the rest of the Cavs. The Cavs should look to add height and athleticism in the backcourt. Preferably players who can hit the spot up jumper, but who can also take it strong to the basket.
The Knicks need a center first and foremost. Bosh will be a solid power forward for them in 2010, but even with LeBron and Bosh they will find it difficult to surpass Orlando and Dwight Howard without someone to stand up to the seven foot center.
The Knicks have plenty of scorers and showed they have no problem scoring, but one thing D'Antoni teams are known for is their lack of defense. The Knicks have to prove to LeBron that either they are willing to lock down on the defensive end while still running or show him they are willing to restructure their offensive mindset. D'Antoni has proven his method can win plenty of regular season games, but has failed to prove to anyone his style can adequately work to capture a title.
Over the next twelve months the Knicks and Cavs will each try to position themselves as the team with the most upside for the future. Whichever team succeeds in luring LeBron should either jump to title contention or remain there for many years. Each team, whether or not LeBron chooses them, will improve because of the moves they should be making to try to lure their superstar to their city.
