There doesn’t seem to be an easy fix for the Cleveland Cavaliers’ losing ways and LeBron James can do nothing but wonder about what could have been. The Cavs had the chance to trade for Paul George and Eric Bledsoe during the summer, something that James knows could have prevented Cleveland’s midseason slide.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reports on Zach Lowe’s podcast, The Lowe Post, that James is still upset that the trade didn’t happen. It should be recalled that just before then-general manager David Griffin left the team, the Cavs had a shot to put together a three-way trade with the Indiana Pacers and Phoenix Suns that would have resulted in Cleveland having both George and Bledsoe.
However, the Suns refused to include the fourth pick of the draft, which they subsequently used to draft Josh Jackson, and the deal was off the table.
Months ago, it was reported that James was aggressive in trying to recruit George, painting a picture of long-term success with the Cavs. This would’ve given the Cavs more leverage in trading for the star swingman, but the deal fell apart before the Oklahoma City Thunder entered the picture.
Both George and Bledsoe are terrific defenders and would have shored up the Cavs’ defensive shortcomings. Instead, the Cavs have the 29th worst defensive rating in the entire NBA.
The team has 36 games ahead of them but the season can only be salvaged if they put together a trade that will inject new life into the Cavs.
Otherwise, the only thing James can do is to wonder.