The Cleveland Cavaliers have won their first NBA title, stunning the Golden State Warriors with the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history.
What now? Should Cleveland trade Kevin Love?
Our NBA Insiders debate the future of the Cavaliers.
1. What are the chances LeBron James opts out and leaves the Cavs?
Tom Haberstroh, ESPN Insider: Ten percent. Rest easy, Cavs fans. I don't think James is going anywhere. James made his bed when he wrote the touching letter for Sports Illustrated and declared, "I feel my calling here [in Cleveland] goes above basketball." Of course, I didn't think he'd leave Miami after four straight Finals runs. That explains the 10 percent hedge. I actually think this title raises the odds that he eventually leaves, but I don't think it's this summer.
Amin Elhassan, ESPN Insider: Zero percent. He'll opt out, but that's just to make sure he's making the absolute maximum available.
Jeremias Engelmann, ESPN Insider: I think it's zero percent. He loves the city of Cleveland, and, having just won the title, there's no reason for him to be displeased with anyone -- neither teammates nor management. I think this title actually makes it very likely that LeBron will stay in Cleveland until the end of his career.
Bradford Doolittle, ESPN Insider: Five percent, because you can never say never, but I don't see LeBron leaving the Cavs again. He'll opt out because he earns more that way and there is no real reason not to. More important, doing so creates the leverage that allows him to oversee Cleveland's moves, either overtly or in the form of passive-aggressive tweets.
Kevin Pelton, ESPN Insider: 10 percent? I suppose there is the theory that James just wanted to bring Cleveland a championship, but it's hard to imagine him passing on the opportunity to defend a title.
2. Will and should the Cavs trade Kevin Love?
Haberstroh: Yes, and I think they should. I overestimated Love's defensive potential when he came to Cleveland, and it's clear he needs to be on a team with a defensive center where he can flourish as a top option. Boston, Utah and New York should be blowing up Cleveland GM David Griffin's phone with text messages.
Pelton: Probably not, now. Why risk breaking up the defending champs? And while this was not a great offensive series for Love, he held his own defensively and forced Steph Curry to miss on the biggest possession of the game. So even though James could stand to play more at power forward, I don't see the need for a change.
Doolittle: Love is a fine player, but the Cavs have generally done a lackluster job integrating him in a way that capitalizes on his inside-outside versatility and passing skills. Dealing him is the best path to creating a different dynamic, but how can you do that now after two conference titles and a championship? I mean, Love was plus-19 in Game 7.
Engelmann: Love is worth his contract and should stay. He didn't look great in these Finals -- his pick-and-roll defense was quite spotty -- but he often was on the court with subpar defenders. He would be a better fit with more effective defenders around him, but that would likely require dealing Kyrie Irving.
Elhassan: Probably not. Although he had his struggles against the Warriors in the Finals, he was an integral part of their success in the rounds leading up to it, and while his Game 7 performance wasn't exactly virtuoso level, he definitely made an impact with his offensive rebounding.
3. What Kevin Love trade would make sense?
Engelmann: DeMarcus Cousins could be a viable target if Sacramento decides to move him: He's one of the NBA's best centers and wouldn't clog the lane too much for LeBron because he can shoot from outside. I also like Jimmy Butler, whom the Bulls seem to be trying to deal. He'd allow LeBron to play the 4.
Haberstroh: Kevin Love to Boston for Jae Crowder and Amir Johnson makes sense for both sides. The Celtics have a team option on Johnson's contract and would need to retain him in order to make the money work. Ainge gets his star and retains his trove of draft picks.
Pelton: As Tom said, Love for Jae Crowder and Amir Johnson. I think the Cavaliers would need to get someone back who could be a younger version of what Richard Jefferson was for them in the playoffs. Crowder fits that bill, and Johnson would allow them to play more traditionally if they let Timofey Mozgov walk.
Doolittle: The best scenarios all seem to involve the Celtics. Boston can offer a 3-and-D forward who lets LeBron play more at 4 (Jae Crowder) and a needed backcourt defender/shooter (Avery Bradley). Unless you're looking at a far-fetched Love-for-Melo scheme, the Celtics seem like the best fit.
Elhassan: If you twist my arm, I'd have to say one that replenishes Cleveland's asset cupboard and adds more athleticism, defense and shooting on the perimeter. But again, I've never been certain that a Love trade is necessary.
4. What other kinds of trades or moves do you advise and expect for Cleveland?
Pelton: I see a relatively quiet offseason now. I don't see Mozgov returning, and Mo Williams will probably look for a larger role elsewhere. That would make it important to re-sign restricted free agent Matthew Dellavedova, along with unrestricted free agent J.R. Smith.
Engelmann: Their offense probably doesn't need much help thanks to LeBron and Irving, so I'd try to bring in good defenders like Bismack Biyombo or players who can defend multiple positions. LeBron's Heat teams were better on defense because they could switch everything. Players in the Paul George and Jae Crowder mold, if available, could make the Cavs a defensively elite team.
Elhassan: The focus has to be in acquiring better, smarter defensive players who are not offensive liabilities. Given their cap situation, that's easier said than done.
Doolittle: If Iman Shumpert can't do it, the Cavs need a true 3-and-D guard who can help against the likes of the Splash Brothers while pushing J.R. Smith back into the sixth-man role. Someone like Patrick Beverley, Avery Bradley or even Khris Middleton could fit. If you trade Love, finding guys who upgrade the perimeter defense while providing shooting is the objective.
Haberstroh: This isn't necessarily a transaction, but James needs to dedicate himself to being the full-time power forward. It's his natural position in this era, and it relieves him of having to run with wings as he approaches his 32nd birthday. Acquiring a Cavs version of Andre Iguodala is vital for Cleveland.
5. How many NBA titles will the Cavs win in the next five seasons?
Haberstroh: If the over/under is 1.5, I'm taking the under. As long as Curry, Kawhi Leonard and the duo in Oklahoma City are healthy (and together), it's hard seeing James being a title favorite with this many miles on his tires. Baked into this answer is my belief that James isn't guaranteed to stay in Cleveland for the rest of his career.
Doolittle: One. Until a true challenger emerges from the muck in the East, the Cavs are going to keep getting to the Finals. If they keep getting there, they'll win at least one more. But even LeBron James can't remain a top-five player forever, so it would seem reckless to project more than one.
Elhassan: Zero. I think they overcame overwhelming odds to win one, and I doubt they can repeat this feat. But you never know!
Engelmann: I'd put the over/under at 1. The Cavs certainly look like the best East team for years to come, but their West opponent is likely to give them trouble every year -- in particular, the Warriors are likely to be very strong in the next couple of seasons. And LeBron's window is slowly closing because of his age (31).
Pelton: One. I'd say the Cavaliers are more likely to win another championship than not at this point, but multiple titles are still somewhat difficult to foresee unless Irving can move into a larger role as James ages.