Can Cavaliers Bring in Both LeBron James and Chris Bosh?

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Mar 26, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dion Waiters (3) and referee Bennett Salvatore (15) during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Salary Cap

We covered the Cavs salary cap situation in the past. If the salary cap is set at $63 million as we expect and should find out early in the week, then the Cavs right now only sit with about $14 million dollars in space. To sign James to the expected Max Contract would require just over $20 million dollars. From what we understand the Cavs have a trade lined up to rid themselves of Jarrett Jack‘s contract which would free up very close to the amount of money needed for James.

That leaves making room for Bosh at about $15 million for the first year. The Cavs may have to get creative, but as we covered in the story we linked above they have the assets on their roster to do so. We will look at each trade or move needed, or possible to get the Cavs $15 million in space.

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Move #1: Release Scotty Hopson.

This move will give the Cavs about $1.5 million in space with his non-guaranteed contract.

Move #2: Release Anderson Varejao.

This move will give the Cavs an extra almost $6 million in space. Total so far in 2 move is $7.5 million.

Move #3: Trade Dion Waiters for a protected 1st round pick or player current staying in Europe.

This move will give the Cavs another $4 million in space. Like the Varejao move, this isn’t a move the Cavs, or their fans (especially this writer) wants to make but likely needed. Total up to $11.5 million.

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Move #4: Trade either Tristan Thompson or Anthony Bennett for a protected 1st round pick or 2 second round picks.

This move gives the Cavs another $5 million in cap space. Trading either play might be tough, and James is said to be close with Thompson, but it might have to be done. Thompson is at worst a good 3rd big while Bennett has plenty of potential. Total up to between $16 and 17 million in cap space.

With 2 simple cuts and 2 simple trades the Cavs would have enough cap space to sign Bosh. They even could try to re-sign Varejao after all the moves to a lesser contract if they have a few million left over to spend. Almost any team would want to add Waiters and Thompson/Bennett for cheap if they have a chance, making those moves less then difficult.

Final Roster

With all these moves the Cavs would have a starting lineup of Irving, Wiggins, James, Bosh and one of Tyler Zeller, Thompson or Varejao. The bench would be thin but still have either Zeller or Thompson, Sergey Karasev, Brendan Haywood, Carrick Felix, Joe Harris and Dwight Powell. It is possible that Ray Allen chooses to come up north for the veterans minimum to play with James, as he said he wants to continue to do. Other free agents would also be intrigued by linking up with this super team.

Likely? No but what do you think of the Cavs making these moves if Bosh is interested?

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