Cleveland Cavaliers: Paying The Winning Price

By Joshua Howe | Jul 8, 2015

Mar 25, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love during warmups prior to the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

How badly do you want to win? As a professional athlete, this question arises quite often. Players are always criticized, it seems, for doing one thing over another.

If they leave their current team for another club that gives them a better chance to win but offers less money (David West), then their current fans reject them for leaving cash on the table. But if they remain with their current team that gives them little chance to win and take an enormous deal, they are criticized for not wanting to win badly enough.

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First, it’s important to note that no matter what a player does, it’s their choice. They are people, just like us, and deserve to make the decision that’s best for them. That’s why I never truly understand the immense hatred for LeBron James’ “Decision.” That was his choice and, for him, felt right at the time.

Plus, more than $2 million raised by the infamous television special went to charity.

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Now, as fans of the game in general, I’d like to think that we all value a player sacrificing pay to play for a winning team more than the other option. That means that we get to see a better team come together and create great theatre for us fans as they chase a chip for most of the calendar year.

What’s not to love? It’s what makes the NBA fun, love it or hate it.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are proving that they are part of this class. So far this offseason, they’ve shown that they aren’t afraid to pay to win. To bring back their Finals roster as LeBron looks on, they’ve gone the extra mile and are going to be far over the luxury tax next season.

And James hasn’t even officially said he’d re-sign yet!

Here’s a look at the contracts the Cavs have dealt out over the past few weeks:

Kevin Love: $110 million, five years
Tristan Thompson: $80 million, five years
Iman Shumpert: $40 million, four years
Mo Williams: $4.3 million, two years

That’s a lot of dough. And there’s still J.R. Smith and Matthew Dellavedova (who were both extended qualifying offers) to think about.

Among all of this money-tossing lie rumors that Cleveland is also looking to potentially trade for Joe Johnson (according to ESPN.com) or Jamal Crawford (per CBSSports.com). Johnson has one heck of a contract, so adding him to the roster would be simply furthering their already obscene output.

But Johnson is a seven-time All-Star and a very good player. Cleveland isn’t joking about trying to win a title. They’re proving right here and right now that they’re prepared to throw all their chips into the pot.

The Cavs are a franchise that’s never won an NBA title. They know that LeBron has a limited window. He’s not 18 and invincible anymore. If they don’t put a club around him that can succeed at the highest level soon (if not immediately), then it’s going to be a long time before they ever get a shot at winning it all again.

This team is good enough, when healthy. Heck, they might’ve won The Finals this past season if they were all ship-shape with the way LeBron was playing. Next season, they should be even better with an understanding of each other and a head for how they want to play.

The East is still weak, and there is still time to strike. David Griffin knows this. Dan Gilbert knows this. LeBron knows this.

It starts with doing whatever it takes. Management is doing just that. Next, it will be up to the coach and players.

Next: NBA: The Biggest Winners And Losers Of Free Agency Day 1

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