NBA Scout Says Cavaliers Need To Tear Team Down Without LeBron James

TheSportster

By Alex Hoegler

Published Aug 19, 2018

The Cleveland Cavaliers are trying to make the playoffs in 2019, but one NBA scout believes they should rebuild with LeBron James now gone.

Jun 8, 2018; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts with guard George Hill (3) at the bench after leaving the game during the fourth quarter in game four of the 2018 NBA Finals Golden State Warriors at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

When LeBron James opted to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency, the immediate assumption was that the Cleveland Cavaliers would tear it all down and begin a rebuild.

Instead, the Cavaliers have kept most of their other roster pieces together, and opted to re-sign Kevin Love to a whopping four-year extension worth $120 million, rather than move him for young assets.

The Cavaliers certainly won't contend for a championship any time soon, but the front office is clearly bent on getting this team into the postseason for a fifth straight year. And it's the wrong call, according to one expert.

Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report talked to an NBA scout, who believes the Cavs' only choice is to tear it all down and start from scratch.

"I don't like what they're doing. I would have done the full rebuild. Indiana got lucky. Cleveland needs to build through the draft for the next two to three years, bite the bullet and go from there.

Even with the roster that they have now, they'll probably still get a top-10 pick, maybe a top-five. I don't see Cleveland being very good. I would have gutted...

I don't see [Cleveland] in the top eight. The only way they can get better is gut it and start over again. It's not an attractive place for a free agent."

The Cavaliers also brought back veteran forward Channing Frye in the offseason, a clear sign they just aren't willing to rebuild this roster. The Eastern Conference isn't exactly strong, but Swartz did note just how many teams look better than the current Cavaliers roster.

As Swartz pointed out, the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors figure to fight for a ticket to the NBA Finals. The Washington Wizards, Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks are virtual locks, while it's tough to see the Indiana Pacers regressing after a surprise season.

The Cavaliers are looking at a record of around .500, which still may not be enough to make the postseason. And even if they qualify, the Cavs stand very little chance of even winning a playoff series.

It's hard to disagree with the scout's take on the direction of the Cavaliers right now. Yes, they reached the NBA Finals four consecutive years and won it all in 2015, but this group is mediocre without James.

The Cavs are going for another trip to the playoffs now, but nobody should be surprised if they wind up selling off key players at the trade deadline. The LeBron era is over, and it's probably time to accept it and move on.

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