Dropping Schroeder is whatever, but dropping Strus for a 1-year LeBron rental? Terrible idea.
NBA free agency 2026 live updates: Trade rumors, latest news with Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James on the move
LeBron is leaving the Lakers, Kawhi is joining the Raptors and more big names (like Jaylen Brown, Jalen Duren, Anthony Davis) could be on the movewww.cbssports.com
Cavs exploring trade options to clear space to bring LeBron James home
The Cavaliers are one of the two frontrunners for LeBron James in free agency along with the Warriors, and the biggest hurdle for Cleveland in bringing James home again is the cap sheet puzzle they're faced with. The Cavs do not have access to the non-taxpayer mid-level exception right now like the Warriors, which means that to outright sign James as is, they'd need him to take a minimum. That's a tough sell, and a sign-and-trade would only complicate matters by hard-capping them at the first apron.
Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reports that, to create more financial flexibility, the Cavs are exploring trade options for Dennis Schröder ($14.8 million) and Max Strus ($16.6 million) to see if they can shed enough money to add James and re-sign James Harden as planned. For his part, Harden is reportedly holding off on signing his new deal in Cleveland to give the Cavs the most possible flexibility to bring LeBron back, per The Athletic's Joe Vardon.
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