Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James reportedly would consider leaving in free agency if it were the right business decision. Kyrie Irving, meanwhile, offered his support for first-year coach David Blatt, who's seemingly being turned into the scapegoat for Cleveland's woes.
It seems unthinkable, but a report from Cleveland.com indicates James wouldn't hesitate to leave his hometown again if it made sense from a business perspective.
"There is immense pressure to keep The King happy," Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com wrote Tuesday. "James, who turns 30 today, has no intention of compromising his prime years playing for a sputtering organization. He can opt out of his contract at the end of the season and become a free agent.
"Given the massive scrutiny he would endure if he departed Cleveland a second time, if his hand is forced, I'm told he won't hesitate to make the appropriate business decision if it means bolting."
James has the option to become a free agent in July, and with the Cavaliers underperforming, the rumors of him signing elsewhere won't let up anytime soon. It seems unlikely James would leave Cleveland, though. It took the 2010 Miami Heat squad some time to gel on the court after James's arrival, and the four-time MVP already indicated in "The Letter" this summer he knew it would take time for Cleveland to become championship contenders and would be patient during the growing pains.
One issue for James possibly could be Blatt's learning curve as a first-year coach. James admitted he didn't ask for permission to take over the playmaking duties on offense, and an ESPN report indicated there was a divide in the locker room between Blatt and the players, some of whom the report said were no longer listening to the coach.
In the wake of ESPN's report, Irving spoke up in defense of Blatt.
"I'll do anything for coach Blatt," Irving said. "I know players feel the same thing."
James also seemingly dismissed ESPN's report, insisting Blatt has the players' attention.
"I think my relationship with the coach continues to get better and better every day," James said, via ESPN. "This is two months of us being together. I don't know him fully. He doesn't know me fully. He doesn't know any of the guys fully and that's to be expected. It's our first year together. But he has our attention."
