Cavaliers eventually got around to caving to LeBron
Maybe LeBron James was being “whiny,” but he’s also getting exactly what he wanted.
Just a few weeks after James ranted about the defending NBA champions being “top-heavy as s—” and having a “lack of bodies” — triggering criticism from Charles Barkley and igniting a war of words between the stars — the Cavaliers are on the verge of adding inside and outside depth with the expected signings of veterans Deron Williams and Andrew Bogut. The deals could be finalized as soon as Monday.
Williams, 32, negotiated his release from the Mavericks last week and cleared waivers, allowing him to sign with Cleveland for the veteran’s minimum. The three-time All-Star has averaged 13.1 points and 6.9 assists this season and will give the Cavaliers a true backup point guard for the first time all season.
On Saturday, recent Cleveland acquisition Kyle Korver talked about how much his former teammate — with the Jazz — wanted to play for a winner.
“He wants to be a part of an opportunity to win a championship,” Korver said. “And just being here the whole time I’ve been here, and just seeing where there are some of the holes — or not holes, but where we can be better — and knowing who he is and his skill set, I think it’s an incredible fit.
“I told him this is a great team to be on,” Korver added. “The locker room is amazing. Because I think you’re always wondering about that in the back of your mind. Just tried to tell him that these guys are great, and they’re welcoming. You’re going to have no problem fitting in. There’s a real need for you, I think. When you have a team that’s this good and has won a championship, where do you really have a hole, where do you really have a need? There’s a real need for someone like him.”
There’s also always a need for a defensive presence in the paint, which Bogut — who was traded from Dallas to Philadelphia last week and is now negotiating a buyout — would provide, as he did as the starting center on Golden State’s 2015 title team. Numerous playoff teams, such as the Spurs, Rockets and Celtics, were reportedly interested in signing Bogut, but the Australian reportedly prefers signing with the defending champs and their four-time MVP.
“The Cleveland Cavaliers, they have given him everything he wanted,” Barkley said of James during their recent war of words.
And he keeps getting more.