4 ways losing LeBron James impacts the Cleveland Cavaliers

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 06: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks with head coach Tyronn Lue during Game Three of the 2018 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors at Quicken Loans Arena on June 6, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

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CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 08: JR Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms up before Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

3. Financial freedom

LeBron was here four four years and Cleveland went to the Finals each of those season, even winning the thing once. The Cavs’ roster is inflated with salaries given to James’ friends in an effort to keep the King happy.

Now, Dan Gilbert has to pay J.R. Smith and Tristan Thompson multi-millions of dollars. The Cavs’ owner had no choice giving those players those types of contracts even though the organization as competing against no one for their services.

It’s the cost of doing business with Lebron on your roster. You have to fight, claw and resort to just about anything to keep him happy.

But the era of appeasing James is over. Bad contracts given to players with one appreciable skill (offensive rebounding) who happened to be represented by the Klutch Sports Agency is over.

It’s going to take a couple season, but the Cavs will know financial freedom once again.

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