The Cleveland Cavaliers is working hard to bring the band back together. After everyone opted out of their contracts, rumors ran wild that most of the stars from the 2014-15 season were planning on departing. Reports said LeBron James was waiting to see what was going to happen. Kevin Love was reportedly taking meetings with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, all of that proved false and now the only question mark left is JR Smith.
According to ESPN's Mark Stein, Love re-signed with the Cavaliers to the tune of five years and $110 million. He opted out of his player option to reportedly test the market, but the forward returned claiming unfinished business following the loss in the NBA Finals. ESPN's Brian Windhorst is reporting that Iman Shumpert is also returning following his qualifying offer. He inked a four-year, $40 million deal which looks bad now, but will be fine when the salary caps increase. They both join Timofey Mozgov who had his team option picked up.
Now there is the issue of Smith. At the start of the offseason, Smith opted out of his player option in hopes of re-signing a bigger contract. The shooting guard upped his value following a successful stint in Cleveland, but the team has made no moves to re-sign him. According to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, the Cavaliers do not value Smith as much as he thinks they should. Right now, Smith wants more than the $6 million player option he was originally supposed to earn, but right now that might not be the case.
Stein is reporting that the next priority for Cleveland is re-signing Tristan Thompson and negotiations are going well in that effort. The power forward is expected to command a lucrative long-term deal worth upwards of $80 million over five years. That number will not change even with the contract to Love.
James has opted out of his deal and Windhorst believes he will ink a one-year deal before re-signing a big contract when the salary cap's increase next offseason. That brings a majority of the band back together. Cleveland.com is reporting the Cavaliers are still searching for a trade of Brendan Haywood and his non-guaranteed deal. The Spurs and Lakers have shown interest. The Cavaliers have been linked to free agents like Mo Williams who would need to accept a veteran's minimum deal. Regardless, Cleveland will return as contenders again next season.
