CLEVELAND — Let the (potential) madness begin.
The NBA’s free agency period tends to be among the craziest in professional sports. The Cavaliers could be facing a massively important summer on the heels of their first trip to the Eastern Conference Finals since 2018, but also a sweep at the hands of the champion New York Knicks.
On one hand, it was the furthest the franchise has progressed without LeBron James on the roster since 1992. But losing in a sweep also brought into question what major changes, if any, are needed around the roster.
Follow for updates with NBA rumors and news as it relates to the Cavs.
When does NBA free agency begin?
Teams can officially begin negotiating with free agents at 6 p.m. ET June 30. Those players cannot be officially signed until 12:01 p.m. ET July 6, but agreements between key free agents and teams will be locked up well before that time.
The NBA Summer League also begins soon.
Could LeBron James return to Cavs?
A massive amount of buzz will be following a certain Kid from Akron.
The future of James, even at age 41, will be a focal point of the entire NBA offseason. Among the possible scenarios: James re-signing with the Los Angeles Lakers or returning, yet again, to the Cavs, though a few other options remain in the mix, such as going to the Golden State Warriors.
Cavs roster
Here’s a look at the updated Cavs roster as free agency begins. It now includes rookie Meleek Thomas, who was selected with the No. 34 pick in the draft.
Cavs payroll: Are they in the second apron?
The Cavs enter free agency with the second-highest payroll in the NBA at $218 million.
The Cavaliers have been operating in the NBA’s second apron, which isn’t easy to do for long. It can also hamstring teams with the types of moves that can be made. Th Cavs navigating those waters, and trying to move around the second apron, will be a key point to their summer.
Ryan Lewis covers the Cavaliers for the Akron Beacon Journal. He can be reached at rlewis1@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Cavs free agency live updates. Latest rumors, signings, news
Reporting by Ryan Lewis, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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By Ryan Lewis, Akron Beacon Journal | USA TODAY Network
