NBA News: Cleveland Cavaliers Trade Jarrett Jack, Clear Max Cap Space for LeBron
The Cleveland Cavaliers have facilitated a three team deal with the Brooklyn Nets and the Boston Celtics in an effort to clear more cap space for the return of LeBron James.
Yahoo! Sports reports that the Cavaliers are sending Jarrett Jack and Sergey Karasev to the Nets while acquiring Marcus Thornton and packaging him to Boston along with Tyler Zeller and a future first-round pick to the Boston Celtics. The move is motivated by a vision to re-acquire former player LeBron James. The Cavs have cleared as much as $8 million dollar in space in the trade by sending out Jack's $6.3 million salary, Zeller's $1.6 million and Karasev's $1.4 million pay.
With the cleared cap space, they can now offer LeBron the maximum contract he wishes of $20.7 annually.
The Cavaliers are expected not to stand pat with a lot of open roster spots and the prospect of LeBron James rejoining the team after four years of four Finals appearances with the Miami Heat. They are reportedly have their sights set in trading for Kevin Love by using number 1 pick Andrew Wiggins as main chip.
Having a new coach in place in David Blatt, the Cavaliers are hoping to enter the playoffs for the first time since being left behind by their franchise star. The European coach is famous for his defensive principles and the organization is hoping for some stability after numerous turnover of coaches such as Byron Scott and Mike Brown.
The Cleveland Cavaliers after making the personnel and coaching changes last year again faled to qualify in the less competitive eastern conference. They were counting on the veteran Jarrett Jack to provide some bench stability but that proved to be a disappointment. Aside from chemistry issues, the team also dealt with major injury problems to Kyrie Irving and Anderson Varejao, and the coming to camp out of shape of number 1 pick Anthony Bennett. The team also reportedly had internal issues which involved young players Irving, Dion Waiters, and Tristan Thompson.
With the development that James has not committed to the Heat after his meeting with Riley, Cleveland fans are hopeful that a reunion is in the works to mend fences and burned jerseys.