While there’s plenty of basketball left to be played, it’s becoming increasingly apparent what these Cleveland Cavaliers are.

They are a poorly constructed, lackadaisical team that has dealt with their fair share of injuries. Again, it’s probably too early to jump ship, but the cracks are showing.

Earlier this week, former NBA player Jeff Teague suggested that the Cavaliers should trade for Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. And he was absolutely correct.

James turns 41 on December 30. It’s clear the Lakers are focused on their future, Luka Doncic. Los Angeles slid to the fourth seed on Christmas after losing their third straight game and Lakers head coach J.J. Redick was incensed.

Last week, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert was reportedly fed up with the state of his team. The Cavaliers are the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference, playing just over .500 basketball as the most expensive team in the NBA. 

The Cavs are coming off a fourth quarter collapse where a 17-point lead evaporated in the fourth quarter when they were outmatched by Mitchell Robinson and the New York Knicks – the team they will have to beat – but can’t – in order to get to the NBA Finals.

Why should the Cavs trade for LeBron?

If Gilbert really wants to make a noise in a season where expectations were Eastern Conference Finals or bust, it makes sense for him to pick up the phone and call an old friend for one final run together.

James is a free agent at the end of this season. While he’s happy in Los Angeles, the Lakers have made it clear that they are moving on. 

If this core four is going to continue to underwhelm, why not try something else? Isn’t the definition of insanity doing the same thing and expecting different results? Couldn’t a little bit of tough love from one of the greatest players ever do wonders for a team in this current state?

Obviously superstar Donovan Mitchell as well as Evan Mobley are untouchable in trade conversations. All-Star point guard Darius Garland should be as well.

But what else are the Cavs really going to get for their struggling center Jarrett Allen? Or how about De’Andre Hunter, last year’s big trade deadline acquisition that just hasn’t made much of an impact?

The Cavaliers have upcoming matchups against the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns prior to the calendar flipping to 2026. If things can’t get turned around, the team will likely be below .500 and forced to make some tough decisions.

So why not make the easy decision and reunite with the one player that has been able to deliver a title for this franchise?