NBA Scout Strongly Doubts Cavs Actually Called About LeBron James

If the Cavaliers actually called NBA agent Rich Paul about a LeBron James trade, it’s news to one NBA scout.

“I keep hearing their interest (in James) is minimal, if they have any at all,” the scout told Hoops Wire. “So I’m not even sure where that report originated. Who’s the source on it? Rich Paul’s cleaning lady?”

The Cavs are up against it financially, given the new NBA labor rules. That said, they do have a roster spot to fill, with just 13 players under contract.

“Yeah, well, I don’t think 40-year-old LeBron is the target,” the scout said. “He’s still very good most nights, at least offensively, but it doesn’t work for about a thousand reasons. And you can start with the fact he’s under contract for like 53 million bucks.”

Paul recently told ESPN that four teams called him about a potential James trade. The Cavs were supposedly among them.

But the scout added it’s important to remember that Paul doesn’t make trades for the Lakers. If L.A. wanted to move James, it would be the job of head of basketball operations Rob Pelinka.

“Look, LeBron and Rich Paul can play this game all they want, but who cares if teams are calling Rich Paul?” the scout said. “He’s not making a trade. He can demand one, sure. He could give the Lakers options of where LeBron would play if that were the case. But this is all just LeBron’s camp being mad about something, and who knows what?

“… He’s not going anywhere and if he does go somewhere, it won’t be Cleveland. The Cavaliers don’t need him. They’re building something really great there. I don’t think he puts them over the top at this stage of his career anyway.”

Granted, not everyone agrees with the scout’s assessment of James, the Cavs, the Lakers or the NBA in general. And the bottom line is, until LeBron comes out and says he’s thrilled to be back with the Lakers, the Cavs will continue to make the rounds on the rumor mill. That’s just life in today’s NBA.

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