Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 dream targets during 2018 NBA free agency

Kevin Durant, SF, Golden State Warriors

While not totally likely, there’s at least a semblance of a chance James leaves this offseason. if that does end up being the case, the Cavaliers could look to another free agent superstar to fill the void. There are none more intriguing this offseason than Kevin Durant.

The Golden State Warriors’ scoring sensation has a player option for 2018-19, which he will likely decline. It makes perfect sense, especially considering he took a major discount to re-sign with the defending champs last offseason. Durant wants to get paid like the top-notch talent he is.

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Since money isn’t an issue here and LeBron is hypothetically gone, the Cavaliers have the ability to give him whatever he wants. On top of that, they have a solid supporting cast after their frenzy of moves at the trade deadline and the Brooklyn Nets’ 2018 first round pick should yield a quality prospect. Cleveland may not be as enticing as Golden State, but Durant could be the top dog with the Cavaliers.

So maybe he decides to change things up. Maybe he figures he can carry Cleveland into a new future, re-writing the almost tragic history that James helped curate for the city.

It’s extremely unlikely, yes. As I’ve already mentioned numerous times, though, this is an alternate reality where anything is possible. Durant has the tools to resurrect a falling franchise that could very well lose its own superstar in a few months. If money weren’t an issue and KD were actually interested, the Cavaliers would leap at the opportunity.