The Cleveland Cavaliers are confident that LeBron James is considering returning to the team. Despite the bad blood that was left in his departure for the Miami Heat, Dan Gilbert and company remain hopeful that James is actually listening to their sales pitch which includes a max contract. If the Cavaliers are going to acquire James, someone likely has to get cut from the roster.
Dion Waiters could be the odd man out if the Cavaliers are successful in their pursuit of James. The point guard has been on the trading blocks for most of the season. Cleveland came close to several deals during the mid-season trading period, but never finalized anything. According to Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio, the Cavaliers are still actively listening to calls regarding the point guard.
Amico reports that general manager David Griffin is in a tough spot with Waiters. He does like the point guard and what he brings to the roster, but he may have to move him if he is going to get a player like James on the roster. Waiters is one of the best assets that the Cavaliers have and he could get the team a solid return along with cleared cap space.
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports is reporting that the Cavaliers are doing all they can to have enough cap space to give James the most money he can earn. They would have to cut loose someone like Anderson Varejao and pull of a trade for Waiters. That would make Cleveland a much weaker team making James once again stuck on a roster where he is doing all of the work. The Cavaliers are going to try and make this all happen as they remain faithful that James will come back to his hometown team.
The Indiana Pacers could be active in the pursuit of Waiters. They have major issues with scoring off the bench during the NBA Playoffs. With Lance Stephenson possibly not returning, the need for Waiters is there. He could be a starter or sixth man, but could help bolster the team's scoring efforts. The Philadelphia 76ers could also be an option. Right now they are attempting to acquire Jeremy Lin from the Houston Rockets, but if his price tag is too high then Waiters could be next.
The Cavaliers will make all moves with James in mind. Until the forward signs somewhere, Gilbert will remain confident that they can get him back on the roster no matter what. James is in the prime of his career so he will choose a team wisely.
