So, we all come out of the NBA draft lottery knowing more about Mallory Edens than we do about the future of the Cleveland Cavaliers. And that is not really a bad thing.
The young Ms. Edens is a viral commodity today, and we should expect that she will have no problem getting a prom date as she finishes her final month of 12th grade and makes every red-blooded American male become a Milwaukee Bucks fan. Can’t remember this much commotion about a high school senior since LeBron James came out of Akron 11 years ago.
Which leads us to the question of the day (OK, the question of the day that does not concern Mallory Edens): By winning the draft lottery, did the Cavaliers just acquire the means to lure LeBron James back to Cleveland?
It is a question worth pondering, because it leads to other questions.
Would the Cavs trade the No. 1 pick in the draft for Kevin Love? Answer: If they thought it would enhance their chances of reacquiring LeBron, they’d be stupid not to. Think about it: The Cavs use their back channel connections to get word sent to LeBron: “Hey, we have a chance to field a team that includes Kyrie Irving at point guard and Kevin Love at power forward. Would you come back home to play with those guys, LBJ?”
Depending on how the Miami Heat fare in the remainder of the NBA playoffs, LeBron might just give it serious consideration. You can bet your bottom dollar that there are folks in the Cleveland front office who believe it is doable.
There are those who would say Nick Gilbert has a better chance of being Mallory’s prom date that he has of being the son of the owner who lured LeBron back to Ohio. To which I would retort: Hey, somebody is taking Ms. Edens to the prom. And if Nick (and his dad) don’t give this a shot, they are cheating themselves.
The Cavs were already of the belief that it would not be the worst idea in the world to make a play for Love with a package that would include Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters going to the Timberwolves, along with a No. 1 pick. But now that the No. 1 overall pick is part of their arsenal, they can make a much more attractive offer to Minnesota.
You want the draft rights to Andrew Wiggins, Flip Saunders?
Just say the word, and they are all yours.
Remember: It does not matter that the pursuit of LeBron seemed like a pipe dream 24 hours ago. Things change fast in the NBA, and the notion that LeBron is a mortal lock to stay in Miami for the next four years can become obsolete if circumstances permit it. LeBron has not yet commented on the Cavs winning the lottery, but he will.
If he leaves the door open even the tiniest bit, we’re going to have a situation on our hands.
LeBron taking his talents back to Cleveland? Hey, you never know.
Things change, as this tweet attests:
I still remember the day before I was in love with Mallory Edens. It was yesterday.
— Jimmy Hat (@DuckingShut) May 21, 2014
Chris Sheridan is publisher and editor-in-chief of SheridanHoops.com. Follow him on Twitter.
The problem of course is would Love give any guarantee that he would re-sign with Cleveland. And even if he did, he could change his mind.
Love does like the idea of playing in the weak EC and Minny would like to get him out of the WC.
I had thought of the possibility of LeBron returning to Cleveland, within 10 seconds of their getting the #1 pick last night. Even if LeBron won the championship, 3 may be the most he could get out of Miami. Originally I was assuming that LeBron would wait till next summer (to decide #2) when LA and NY would have cap space.