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The Grizzlies also dipped into the free agency pool, adding Ty Jerome. That is a move that Morant also approved of. "Definitely another solid guard for us," Morant said. "Everybody seen what he done for a great Cleveland team this year. I honestly felt like he was a big piece of that team. To have him, we adding another ball handler that cannot only create for himself but for everybody else."
However, according to NBA insider Brian Windhorst, it's not just improbable that James won't return to the Cavaliers this offseason. It seems like it's almost impossible for Cleveland to accomplish given how the team is constructed. "If the Lakers are trading LeBron James, they're going to want really good stuff for him," Windhorst said. "With a straight face, I can't say that it's impossible. But you have to understand, they can't feasibly trade for him."
In many ways, Nance returning to Cleveland was quite possibly the league’s worst-kept secret. Even during his time in New Orleans, Atlanta and Portland — the places he went after a first Cleveland stint that lasted a little more than three years — Nance remained part of the Cavaliers’ family. He was involved in the team’s high-stakes fantasy football league. He kept strong relationships with various members of the organization, including Altman and general manager Mike Gansey. He proudly watched the All-Star-level growth of old teammate Darius Garland. He cheered on his brother, Pete. Spent summers here. Stayed embedded in the community.
Brad Rowland: The Hawks officially announced the trade to acquire Kristaps Porzingis. Terance Mann and the No. 22 pick (which is now the draft rights to Drake Powell) going to Brooklyn. Georges Niang and Cleveland’s 2031 second round pick going to Boston.
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LeBron wants to be on a contender, he wants to play meaningful games — and meaningful playoff games — and be in the heart of the conversation. Additionally, LeBron has consistently sought to maximize his revenue. LeBron opted and will get paid. That means if he asks for a trade, his new team would have to match LeBron’s salary. For example, a lot of fans tried to link him to a return to Cleveland (league sources told NBC Sports the Cavaliers are not that interested, but let’s use them as a hypothetical): With a third team, a deal can be made if it’s LeBron for Darius Garland and Max Strus Why would the Cavs do that, giving up young players and getting 15 years older (and arguably worse) in the short term to rent LeBron for a year or two. And trading LeBron to Cleveland is a lot less complicated than most other destinations.
Donovan Mitchell happy in Cleveland: Just being able to call a place home and be there and want to be there
Donovan Mitchell: "I tell people all the time that was the first year in about five years where there was not a question of where is Donovan Mitchell going next. You know what I mean? Like and I was in Utah it was like where's he going next? When I was in Cleveland he wasn't. I was like I'm not staying. Oh, I'm not staying. He's not staying. And then it became like after every win, after every loss, we go on a losing streak. It's like oh this is why he's leaving. You know what I mean? And I think it became it just became a lot. And I didn't realize it in the moment. when you're in it, you don't really notice how much that really like, you know, stresses you in life. And not necessarily always in a bad way, but it's just like it's always on your mind. It's on your teammates's mind. That teammates got to answer these questions. My coach has got to answer these questions. You know, GM, everybody's got to answer the question of like, where's he going? What's he doing? Um, even though I knew I was staying, even though they knew I was staying, it's just still a topic of conversation. You know what I mean? I think for me, just being able to call a place home and be there and want to be there and be like, 'All right, cool. This is this is where I'm at.'"
Tristan Thompson: Cleveland is an unbelievable sports town, with great people, great restaurants, and its great for outdoor/nature activities . Still surprises me to see people say stuff like this
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WNBA expanding to 18 teams
The WNBA is expanding to 18 teams over the next five years, with Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia all set to join the league by 2030. Cleveland will begin play in 2028, Detroit in 2029 and Philadelphia the season after, assuming they get approval from the NBA and WNBA Board of Governors. Toronto and Portland will enter the league next year. "The demand for women's basketball has never been higher, and we are thrilled to welcome Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia to the WNBA family," WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said. "This historic expansion is a powerful reflection of our league's extraordinary momentum, the depth of talent across the game, and the surging demand for investment in women's professional basketball."
Hornets, Grizzlies likely suitors for Ty Jerome
Charlotte and Memphis are two teams that keep coming up as likely suitors for Ty Jerome, who is now regarded as a lock to leave Cleveland to find the deal he is known to be seeking that starts at (or at worst adjacent) to the full $14.1 million midlevel exception.
Jake Fischer: That is indeed the full trade, per source: Lonzo Ball to Cleveland for Isaac Okoro. It’s a straight-up deal between the Cavaliers and Bulls. No draft picks changing hands.
Spencer Davies: #Cavs GM Mike Gansey on Saliou Niang: He’ll be overseas in Italy with Virtus Bologna, but Cleveland is hopeful he’ll play with their NBA Summer League team. Team likes slashing and cutting, has to improve outside jump shot.
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