After a week's hiatus, it's good to be back with the Donovan Live Postgame Show.
When Jimmy and I last spoke, we more-or-less were sounding the death knell for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who were facing an 0-3 scenario in the NBA Finals. LeBron James was wondering out loud "how do you put together a group of talent but also a group of minds to be able to compete with Golden State, to be able to compete for a championship?"
So roughly 10 days later, has anything changed when it comes to speculating on the future of LeBron James?
Not really, but this week offers some intrigue heading into Thursday's NBA Draft.
The Cavaliers own the 8th overall pick via the Brooklyn Nets in the final piece of the Kyrie Irving trade from last summer. Yes, they had hoped it would be higher, but it is what it is. I don't believe you can parlay that pick alone for a franchise-changing player, but I do believe with a little creativity, the Cavs can come up with something good.
For example, they could offer a package of the pick, Jordan Clarkson, and J.R. Smith to the Charlotte Hornets for 2-time NBA All-Star guard Kemba Walker. Kevin O'Connor first raised this possibility in March in The Ringer. Walker isn't Kyrie Irving, but he's damn close. You immediately get a durable, consistent scoring guard in your backcourt and unload some contract weight as well.
Meanwhile, all eyes are on Kawhi Leonard. Like Paul George last summer, he's the biggest name on the trade block and will have the attention of every contending team.
My colleague Ben Axelrod wrote today about the reasons why Cavs fans should be a little worried that Leonard is seeking to be moved out of San Antonio. If Leonard would wind up with the Lakers, for example, that would make L.A. very enticing for LeBron James as he looks at the NBA landscape.
However, there is a school of thought that says maybe the Cavaliers can conjure up enough assets to make San Antonio send him to Cleveland. The guys on ESPN's The Jump debated that on Monday:
Jimmy and I also discussed if there's anything we can take away from the reported coaching changes in the Cavs assistant ranks.
Also...
Now that minicamp is over, how is "the Voice of the Browns" feeling about the situation in Berea? Think about where we were a year ago, to where we are now:
- Last year, Myles Garrett sustained a foot injury in minicamp and was a question mark when we started training camp.
- Last year, Cody Kessler broke minicamp as the Browns' starting quarterback. Kenny Britt, Corey Coleman, Rashard Higgins, Ricardo Louis were his top receivers.
- Last year, in Jimmy's words, the Browns' secondary looked old and slow
Things have most definitely changed. Can these changes produce wins is the question.
Watch the Donovan Live Postgame Show in the player above