Before the cleanup crews were done restoring the city of Cleveland following Wednesday’s championship parade, the Cavaliers’ front office was back to work. With no picks in Thursday’s NBA Draft, they were spectators most of the night.
The Cavs traded both of their picks to the Boston Celtics in separate deals. Their first-round pick was needed to clear the necessary cap space to re-sign LeBron James two years ago. Their second-round pick went to the Celtics last season as part of a flurry of deals that ultimately created the trade exception needed to acquire Timofey Mozgov.
Even without any picks, the Cavs spent the season scouting just as if they had picks. They shopped the rights to Cedi Osman leading up to the draft, according to multiple sources, in an effort to get back in the first round this year. The Cavs drafted Osman in the second round last year. They also spent the evening trying to buy a second-round pick.
There are holes to fill before the Cavs can defend their title. James Jones, Mozgov, Richard Jefferson, Dahntay Jones and J.R. Smith will be unrestricted free agents on July 1. Matthew Dellavedova will be a restricted free agent and Mo Williams has a player option for next season.
James is expected to opt out of his current deal, but has already indicated he will re-sign with the Cavs. He also has pulled out of consideration for the Rio Olympics later this summer, agent Rich Paul confirmed to the Beacon Journal.
James has competed in the last three Olympics and won two gold medals, but wants the added rest after appearing in the last six NBA Finals. Kyrie Irving, however, remains a possibility for Rio if he chooses to play.
Presidential treatment
President Barack Obama called coach Tyronn Lue on Thursday to offer his congratulations for winning the NBA championship.
Both Obama and Lue indicated they would like the Cavs’ trip to the White House scheduled before Obama leaves office. In the video posted to Cavs.com, Obama also said he emailed James to offer his congratulations.
“That’s pretty good for a first-year coach,” Obama told Lue. “Step in, not even a full season and bring a trophy away.”
Before he hung up, Obama offered some style advice to a few of the players.
“Tell J.R. and everybody to put on a shirt,” Obama joked. “Can’t just be walking around without a shirt for like a whole week. [Iman] Shumpert taking off his shirt, Kyrie [Irving] taking off his shirt. C’mon, man. I guess if you’re built like that, though ...”
Jason Lloyd can be reached at jlloyd@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Cavs blog at www.ohio.com/cavs. Follow him on Twitter www.twitter.com/JasonLloydABJ.