The Cavaliers naturally still badly want to re-sign LeBron — for all of this week’s mounting talk about a second stint for King James on South Beach — and remain hopeful that the 41-year-old Akron native will choose a third marriage with Cleveland over the Heat, Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers.
The expectation thus naturally persists that the Cavaliers, like the Joe Lacob-owned Warriors, will hold off on doing anything else until it is confirmed that James’ second homecoming is out of reach.
That said …
League sources maintain that the Cavaliers are among the teams that have registered interest in former No. 5 overall pick Mario Hezonja. The Real Madrid forward has made it clear that he wants to return to the NBA after playing in Europe for the past six seasons and the last four in the Spanish capital. So add Hezonja’s name to the list of potential fallback options for Cleveland along with Hawks free agent Jonathan Kuminga.
“I think,” said one trusted source, “that we’re going to see eight or nine players sign right after LeBron makes his choice. Maybe more.”
Speaking of Kuminga …
He’ll need help from Atlanta on a sign-and-trade to come anywhere close to last season’s $22.5 million salary, but the latest indications we’ve received suggest that the Hawks are likely to be pretty choosy when it comes to sign and-trade scenarios they’re willing to accept.
Kuminga, meanwhile, is said to be open to an Atlanta return on a short-term deal. The Hawks, though, appear pretty deep at the wing positions after their trade Sunday to acquire Lu Dort from Oklahoma City.