Cavs predicted to go all-in for $46M NBA champion after being backstabbed by 76ers' LeBron James

The Cleveland Cavaliers were one of the few teams remaining in the race for four-time NBA champion LeBron James. Around the NBA, many believed Cleveland was the team to beat in free agency when it came to landing James.

However, on Friday morning, James made his decision to join an Eastern Conference team. That team was the Philadelphia 76ers.

“LeBron James is signing with the Philadelphia 76ers for his final run at another NBA championship, he announced Friday,” ESPN’s Dave McMenamin wrote. “James, 41, is signing a two-year, $8 million contract with a player option, Klutch Sports Group CEO Rich Paul told ESPN's Shams Charania.”

James made his decision based on his championship aspirations, believing Philadelphia gave him the best opportunity to compete for another title. The decision to join the 76ers left Cleveland feeling blindsided.

“The Cavaliers and Heat were both blindsided by LeBron James choosing the Sixers. Both Cleveland and Miami felt they were the favorites to sign LeBron, even up to this morning. Now both teams must pivot to compete directly against LeBron next season,” NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.

Now, the Cavaliers must pivot, and it is becoming increasingly clear who they will target. Jonathan Kuminga has been viewed as a fallback option for Cleveland throughout this process, and the Cavaliers are expected to do whatever it takes to acquire him.

“If Atlanta could acquire Strus, while sending out Kuminga and three other contracts, it could be beneficial to them in terms of giving them plenty of flexibility to make bigger moves down the line. WIth James now making a decision, there could be a lot of transactions coming down the pipe and Kuminga is arguably the most talented free agent available,” SI’s Jackson Caudell wrote.

The Cavaliers feel like they were left disappointed by James’ decision to join Philadelphia, especially after believing they were the favorites to land him. A fairytale ending would have been ideal for Cleveland, but it is clear James did not believe the current roster was championship-caliber.

Kuminga was on a $46 million contract last season. His potential arrival in Cleveland would give the Cavaliers an athletic third option alongside Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. Cleveland will now look to prevent the Los Angeles Lakers from completing a deal for Kuminga.

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