CLEVELAND: Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin had a plan all along, even if LeBron James sounded as if he were questioning it when he called for more playmakers last month.
Cavs coach Tyronn Lue had faith in Griffin’s strategy, even if his superstar did not. In the wake of the flap over James’ comments following a Jan. 23 loss at New Orleans, Lue said he believed the Cavs had enough to defend their NBA title and tried to put the emphasis on playing better as a unit. But he also said he knew Griffin would do the best he could to make the Cavs better.
Lue and Griffin realized bolstering the roster would take patience, with some moves having to wait until after the Feb. 23 trade deadline. He knew the Cavs might not come off as bold, likely wouldn’t make headlines with a trade for a player like the Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony who wasn’t the right fit.
The Cavs’ resources were limited. But there was no need to act rashly, to panic over the Golden State Warriors’ addition of Kevin Durant and others. The Cavs still had the best carrot in the league — the chance to join James and make a run to the NBA Finals.
Griffin’s work is now nearly done, and once again he’s been masterful in stocking up for another championship chase. Since Jan. 7, he’s traded for Kyle Korver, signed Derrick Williams, the second pick in the 2011 draft, and is poised to add backup point guard Deron Williams after the ex-Dallas Maverick cleared waivers Saturday evening. Griffin capitalized on Deron Williams’ close relationship with Korver from their days playing basketball (and golf) together in Utah.
The Cavs should also be the front-runner for Andrew Bogut if the Australian big man receives a buyout from the Philadelphia 76ers and clears waivers, although the Houston Rockets could have more money to offer.
Since James returned to the Cavs in 2014, Griffin has worked his magic with little financial flexibility and dwindling draft picks, even as owner Dan Gilbert’s willingness to pay a hefty luxury tax can’t be overlooked. If the Cavs go into April with Korver, Derrick Williams, Deron Williams and Bogut, along with a healthy Kevin Love (arthroscopic knee surgery) and J.R. Smith (thumb surgery), it’s hard to imagine there would be any boxes on James’ wish list left unchecked.
If it seems as if the rich are getting richer, enjoy it, Cavs fans. That’s the way of the world with “The King” in town.
“When you’re on the other team and you see the good teams getting good guys out of situations like this, you’re like, ‘Man, how come they always get everybody?’ ” Korver said before Saturday night’s 117-99 home loss to the Chicago Bulls. “Now I’m on the other side and I’m like, ‘Yeah, come on over.’ ”
Deron Williams will fill a big need, easing the ball-handling responsibilities on Kyrie Irving and James, who is averaging a team-high 4.3 turnovers per game. Derrick Williams, playing for his fifth team in six seasons, has been rejuvenated after finally joining a winner and has the athleticism and versatility to help all over the court.
Korver has made up for the loss of Smith and is on fire this month, shooting .622 from the field and .625 from 3-point range, although he could miss time with a bruised right knee suffered in a fall Saturday night.
James’ scathing comments following that loss in New Orleans, which dropped the Cavs to 5-6 in January during what would be a 7-8 month, may have been a motivational ploy to awaken his teammates from the dog days. If so it worked; they take an 8-2 February record into Monday’s home game against Milwaukee.
But while saying the Cavs needed “a f****** playmaker,” James also wondered whether the Cavs were satisfied as an organization with just one championship, especially since he knew the team’s personnel was not better than last year.
At that juncture, the Cavs were still feeling the loss of backup point guard Matthew Dellavedova and center Timofey Mozgov, the latter at least in terms of minutes. The team’s holes were glaring, the burden on James, Irving and Love seemingly unsustainable through mid-June.
Griffin waited, knowing buyouts would start after the trade deadline, that the right pieces available might be better after it than before.
If the 76ers comply and part ways with Bogut, the Cavs’ upgrade might be complete. If they don’t get Bogut, there are other options.
Whatever James’ reasons for speaking out, it appears that both he and Griffin will soon get what they wanted. And all it took was a little patience.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her blog at www.ohio.com/marla. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MRidenourABJ.