The message from the Cavaliers after LeBron's signing with the Philadelphia 76ers

Cleveland Cavaliers enters a new phase without LeBron James, after the star decided to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers following eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Ohio franchise would have liked to bring back the player who marked the most glorious era in its history, but Koby Altman believes that the organization has enough foundation to maintain its competitive project in the long term.

The Cavaliers’ president of basketball operations acknowledged that he would have liked to have James back, although he assured that the decision of the four-time MVP does not change the confidence that exists within the franchise. For Altman, Cleveland has built a structure that does not depend on a single move or the arrival of a superstar.

Altman doesn’t want the Cavs to depend on a single outcome

The possibility of LeBron returning to Cleveland for a third time generated expectations during free agency. However, when he finally decided to join the 76ers, Altman stated that the organization could not allow a single decision to dictate its planning.

"We cannot depend on a single outcome. I think we have too many positive things happening —in terms of our infrastructure and our foundations— to worry about a single outcome," Altman declared on Friday at a press conference ahead of the Cavaliers' preseason starting next week. "I do not underestimate the enormous magnitude of that decision. I simply believe that, as an organization, we have a solid base and a great ecosystem in terms of talent, coaching staff, and performance team; we are prepared to remain competitive in the long term, regardless of what happens in a specific case."

Altman’s words reflect the strategy the Cavaliers have followed since James’ second departure in 2018. Cleveland has tried to build a structure capable of competing without solely depending on the return of its former star, and recent results support that planning.

Rich Paul, James’ agent, pointed out in his podcast last July that the Cavaliers were the only team that met with the player. The Miami Heat and the Golden State Warriors were the other finalists, but ultimately Philadelphia secured James’ services.

Cleveland has built a competitive project since 2018

LeBron’s second departure in 2018 left behind a historic era for the Cavaliers. During his last period in Cleveland, James led the team to four consecutive NBA Finals and won the franchise's first championship in 2016.

Since then, Altman has been involved in building a roster that has managed to re-establish itself among the competitive teams in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland won at least 50 games in the last two seasons and reached the Eastern Conference Finals last year for the first time since 2018.

The elimination, however, came brutally. The Cavaliers were swept 4-0 by the New York Knicks, who later became the NBA champions.

For Altman, that result does not invalidate the work done over the past few years nor does it change the evaluation of the offseason. In fact, Cleveland reacted quickly after learning of James' decision.

Image

The Cavaliers bet on Watson, Mitchell, and Harden

One of the most obvious needs after James’ departure was to strengthen the small forward position. Cleveland responded by acquiring Peyton Watson through a five-team trade and later offered him a four-year, $88 million contract.

The Cavaliers also secured the continuity of Donovan Mitchell. On the first day of free agency, the player signed a four-year, $273 million extension.

These operations included the renewal of James Harden, acquired near the trade deadline. The veteran guard signed a three-year, $97 million extension that provided Cleveland with some flexibility regarding the salary cap and allowed the team to position itself below both spending thresholds (aprons).

Altman believes these decisions allow for an evaluation of Cleveland’s offseason beyond James' refusal to return.

"You review the list, look at the big picture, and ask yourself: 'Was this offseason successful? Did we get better? Are we thinking about the future? Did we gain more financial flexibility and sustainability in the roster?'. All of this leads me to say that it was a really good offseason, despite that one decision," Altman stated.

Peyton Watson brings youth to a solid core

Although Harden and Mitchell are currently the team leaders by age, at 37 and 30 years old respectively, Watson's arrival allows Cleveland to add another young player to a structure that already includes Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and Jaylon Tyson.

Watson arrives after completing the best season of his career in several categories. With the Denver Nuggets, he started in 40 games, the most in his career, and set personal bests with 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.

Kenny Atkinson highlighted the player's defensive evolution, although he also noted the potential he can develop offensively within Cleveland’s system.

"What I’ve seen in the gym, above all, is his defense. Additionally, last year he shot 41% from three-point range. It's a single season's sample, but there is a lot of room for growth in his offensive game, especially considering our way of playing," said coach Kenny Atkinson.

Atkinson also positively evaluated Harden's arrival to the team. The veteran joined three weeks before the start of the preseason and, in addition to beginning to work with his teammates, helped organize the training sessions.

Cleveland enters the new season away from the spotlight

Despite being part of the last four teams from last postseason, the Cavaliers have not been at the center of conversation during the summer. The spotlight has fallen on other significant moves in the NBA.

The Knicks' title defense, the arrival of Jaylen Brown and LeBron James to Philadelphia, Giannis Antetokounmpo's trade to Miami, and Tyrese Haliburton's return in Indiana have pushed Cleveland out of much of the headlines.

Altman, however, does not believe that the lack of attention on the Cavaliers means that the franchise is being underestimated.

"I would be more concerned if I had doubts about talent, our process, or some of the day-to-day aspects," he pointed out. "I believe many teams have improved to try to catch up with us. When you’re a Final Four team, others need to improve to reach that level. And we are at that level. We want more."

The words of the president of basketball operations reflect the position with which Cleveland approaches the new season. LeBron James will not return to the franchise, but the Cavaliers have chosen to continue with a project built around Mitchell, Harden, and a group of growing young players.

Altman's goal is for the departure of a historic figure not to force a restart but for the team to maintain a competitive and sustainable structure over time. The season will serve to see how far that project can go after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals and having executed an offseason designed to conserve financial margin and add young talent.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El mensaje de los Cavaliers tras el fichaje de LeBron por Philadelphia 76ers