TITLE: Cavaliers Pursue High-Profile Targets After LeBron James Commits to 76ers
SLUG: cavaliers-pursue-high-profile-targets-after-lebron-james-commits-to-76ers
CONTENT:
The Cleveland Cavaliers have redirected their offseason plan now that LeBron James has agreed to join the Philadelphia 76ers, league sources told Hoops Wire.
According to those sources, the front office is exploring several prominent possibilities that have not yet been reported publicly. The team is determined to secure significant roster upgrades rather than simply settling for remaining free agents after missing out on James.
Two names already linked to Cleveland
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst identified forward Jonathan Kuminga and swingman Mario Hezonja as players on the Cavaliers’ radar.
Kuminga, 23, became an unrestricted free agent when the Atlanta Hawks declined his option. He split last season between the Golden State Warriors and the Hawks, averaging 12.2 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 46.3 percent from the field.
Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson previously worked with Kuminga as an assistant in Golden State, and the forward has trained in Cleveland in past off-seasons. His agent, Aaron Turner, is a Northeast Ohio native, and sources say Kuminga views Cleveland as his preferred destination. Multiple other teams have also expressed interest.
Hezonja, 31, last appeared in the NBA with the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2019-20 campaign. The former No. 5 overall draft pick has spent the past four seasons in Europe and is looking to return to the league.
Additional moves on the table
Cleveland is also expected to re-sign guard James Harden now that the organization has clarity on James’s future, sources said. Beyond Harden and the two publicly mentioned free agents, the Cavaliers are discussing other high-level options that have not yet surfaced in the rumor mill.
The team’s search for impact talent continues as it reshapes the roster for the 2024-25 season.
Source: Hoops Wire
