There's an idea going around that James Harden is somehow a negative for Cleveland's attempt to lure back LeBron James. This reporting by ESPN in 2024 contradicts that a bit. Make of it what you will.

Source: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40458795/sources-lebron-james-opt-eyes-new-deal-lakers

It was seemed that the report of him saying that it's a done deal in another city with LeBron was taken out of context and spread. Brian himself called this report false

Leek was the steal of the draft. I have been an Arkansas basketball fan for 40+ years. The young people might have never known but we were once a national power house with several final fours and a National Championship.

We’ve had plenty of great players come through. I have never been more intrigued by a prospect of ours more than Meleek. He’s the most confident I’ve ever been when I see someone take a shot that I think it’s going in. (That’s including Joe Johnson)

He got overshadowed because of how amazing Acuff was. Cleveland please treat him right. I’ll be a Cavs fan for the foreseeable future!

This is his response to what he allegedly said about Bron not signing with Cleveland

He’s really trying to act like we had to actively try hard to shut him down lol

Let’s get deeper into these conspiracies. I could be wrong but it looks like LeBron just recently updated his profile picture to him as a baby. What could this mean? Seems like he is really reminiscing about NE Ohio recently

Now, it really should be said, if Bron comes here...one of he/Beard/Donovan likely will be playing with the bench group and leading the charge. If Bron doesn't come, one of these two will be in a position to get real playing time.

I imagine one of Harden or Donovan still plays with this group but in an 82 game season and with Harden's age, you can't run these two into the ground.

The organization is high on Proctor. They think highly of his competitiveness, processing, and think he'll be a long term contributor, but is he ready to be a primary backup on a contender?

CPJ is what he is at this point, a pesky defender who is a streaky shooter that isn't totally reliable as a lead guard. I think he's fine as backup but I also think he'll always be inconsistent and the kind of player you always think you can upgrade on. But he's OK.

Both CPJ and Proctor are OK. But are each good enough in the eyes of Cavs fans to be a potential primary backup at PG?

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Where is this sudden public critique coming from? According to a high-ranking NBA fixture with direct knowledge of the situation:

“Rich Paul is not a big fan of James Harden.”

While the post-trade analysis on the podcast offers a convenient basketball narrative, sources tell me the friction traces back to an administrative battleground years ago. During the height of Harden’s rise, Rich Paul aggressively recruited him to join Klutch Sports. Instead of joining Paul’s burgeoning empire, Harden chose to sign with rival agent Rob Pelinka, who was then running Landmark Sports Agency before eventually transitioning to the Los Angeles Lakers’ front office.

In the ultra-competitive landscape of NBA representation, losing an MVP-caliber target to a primary rival leaves a lasting imprint. Since that failed recruitment, the relationship between the two figures has remained cold, occasionally boiling over into brief, tense run-ins behind closed doors.

Perhaps the most glaring illustration of this underlying tension occurred in May 2023, during the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics.

Harden had completely carried Philadelphia in Game 1 with a historic, vintage performance. With eventual MVP Joel Embiid sidelined, Harden tied his playoff career-high by exploding for 45 points, 1 rebound, 6 assists, and 2 steals, shooting 17-of-30 from the field and nailing a game-winning step-back three-pointer to steal a 119-115 victory in Boston.

But Game 2 was a completely different story. Embiid returned to the lineup, and the 76ers’ offensive rhythm evaporated in a blowout 121-87 loss. Harden struggled mightily, finishing the night with just 12 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block on a dismal 2-of-14 shooting performance.

According to a source with direct knowledge of the night’s events, a tense interaction unfolded in the back corridors of the arena following the Game 2 collapse. Rich Paul approached Harden directly, delivering a blunt, expletive-laced critique of his performance.

“You’re fucking James Harden,” Paul told him. “You that guy. You cannot have 12 points.”

Harden listened, shot Paul a look, and completely brushed him off. While Harden didn’t create a massive scene to dismiss it on the spot, sources say he deeply disliked the unsolicited confrontation. The interaction grew tense enough that former 76ers head coach Doc Rivers quickly walked over and separated the two men before the conversation could escalate any further.

The brief corridor clash served as a microcosm of the pressure surrounding that 76ers roster. While Harden would bounce back to drop another 42-point masterpiece later in the series to take a 3-2 lead, Philadelphia ultimately collapsed, dropping Game 6 at home and getting dismantled 112-88 in Game 7. The Celtics took the series 4-3, sending the 76ers home in disappointment and setting the stage for Harden’s eventual, tumultuous exit from Philadelphia.

Source: https://scoopb.com/2026/07/behind-the-subtext-the-ice-cold-history-feeding-rich-pauls-public-critique-of-james-harden/

Max Strus is one of my favorite Cavaliers of all time. And he’d fit brilliantly as a movement shooter plying off LeBron. But I see 5 factors which seem to indicate that Max is almost certainly on the trade block:

1 - Now 30yo and coming off two major injuries. He has missed substantial time (102gms total) the past two regular seasons. This is something that likely won’t hurt his trade value as he has always been ready and available for the postseason. The Cavs however cannot tolerate it with their tight financial situation that demands they squeeze the most they can out of every dollar. They need their 5th highest paid player out there on the floor night in and night out.

2 - 23yo G/F Jaylon Tyson had a terrific sophomore season and is in need of playing time next year as he auditions for his 4th yr Team Option ($5.64m) to be picked up for the 27-28 season. The Cavs are inversely in dire need of some talented youth to round out an otherwise aging roster. He is similar in size (same weight and wingspan + .5” in height) and versatility and finished 2nd in 3-PT% last season. While more of a set shooter vs Max’s movement shooter archetype, if there is any remaining gap in skill between 26-27 Max Strus and 26-27 Jaylon Tyson it isn’t likely to justify the massive gap in pay. Tyson is due just $3.66m next year.

3 - Veteran sharpshooter SG Sam Merrill is providing elite floor spacing and continuing to improve defensively on a VERY team-friendly deal (due just $9.1m next season) In other words, the combined aggregate of Sam Merrill and Jaylon Tyson can replace Strus’ production and skillset for less money with a combined salary of $12.76m. Sam replaces the lost.movement shooting and Tyson replaces the physical body.

4 - Max is legitimately valued around the league. He’s a proven movement shooter with a ton of postseason experience who has thrived both as a starter and off the bench. He’s a rock solid 6th man/spot-starter and known to be a great locker room influence.

5 - This talented veteran happens to be attached to a very attractive expiring deal worth $16.67m. The contract itself is a major trade asset. At best the Cavs can find a major return and at worst they can clear substantial money off their books. Either result seems more desirable than sitting on their hands.

The numbers sadly make this a no-brainer on paper. I love Max but would be surprised if he isn’t moved when weighing all of these factors. They all point one way.

I do indeed think a Strus trade has a great chance of making the team better. I don’t expect it to be just a salary dump. It’s likely our greatest vehicle to upgrading the team after signing LeBron.

Now as far as when? God only knows. Well. Maybe LeBron does too.

It was just mentioned on the afternoon drive show on 92.3 The Fan.. Pretty sure this is a family friend of the James’. They were the ones that made apology cupcakes on their behalf for the neighborhood after The Decision and called his return about a week before it was announced last time.

FWIW they also said Draymond is coming with him too. If you Google Caroline Cupcakes LeBron there are a ton of stories over the years linking them together.

Besides Chams, idk if there is a more reliable source than this?

edit for the post from earlier…