NBA News and Rumors: Cleveland Cavaliers Find LeBron James Backup; Tristan Thompson Replaced

By Mitch de Leon
Lebron James and Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry (30) steals the ball away from Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. -- Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters pic

The Cleveland Cavaliers are not bagging wins this NBA preseason, but it appears that the LeBron James squad might be gaining more despite their losses. With the recently concluded game against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Cavaliers discovered a gem among the basketball stars in its training camp roster: Jared Cunningham.

As the NBA regular season draws nearer, the Cleveland Cavaliers are eager to fill in the remaining spot in its roster - that is, if Tristan Thompson is still considered as part of the Kyrie Irving group. With the rise of Jared Cunningham, it looks like the Cleveland Cavaliers might just have found the last basketball star to add to its 15-man NBA team.

"I thought without question Jared sort of separated himself tonight," shared Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt, referring to the notable playing ability displayed by Jared Cunningham in the match against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Cleveland Cavaliers coach went on to say, "He was exceptional. That's what the opportunities are for, you know. You get a chance, you grab it and he made good use of it."

The Philadelphia 76ers went home victorious in the said match against the Cleveland Cavaliers, which had a final score of 115 - 114. For his part, Jared Cunningham recognizes the value of the opportunities that come his way.

"Hopefully I can keep that up. Hopefully so," said the Cleveland Cavaliers hopeful, referring to his performance in the NBA preseason match and the subsequent commendations he received in the game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Jared Cunningham went on to disclose, "You know I've been in every situation the past three years and just to get out there and play every day is a blessing, so I don't take anything for granted. I just go and play my heart out."

Meanwhile, another Cleveland Cavaliers star appears to be up and rising as of late. With the heavy reliance of the NBA team to veteran LeBron James during the regular season basketball games, fans and followers of the Cleveland Cavaliers are wary over the wear and tear of King James' body. Moreover, the uncertain possibility of seeing Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love in the hardwood court this upcoming NBA regular season is causing a dilemma for a team that has been itching the snatch the title away from the Golden State Warriors.

With these issues in mind, the emergence of Richard Jefferson as a potential LeBron James backup allows the Cleveland Cavaliers to breathe a collective sigh of relief.

"That was great," noted King James himself, referring to the remarkable dunk delivered by Richard Jefferson during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers. LeBron James went on to share, "He keeps talking about how old he is and things of that nature. We keep joking with each other about how old both of us are and that was definitely some spring still left in his legs."

As the Cleveland Cavaliers discover hidden gems in their basketball roster, it appears that the necessity to sign Tristan Thompson in the NBA team at all costs is slowly diminishing. In fact, even head coach David Blatt admitted that the Cleveland Cavaliers are preparing for the possibility of truly losing Tristan Thompson. He said, "You always got to be aware of that possibility."

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