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Report: Cavs owner 'fixated' on LeBron's future

Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert is fixated on LeBron James' future with the team, a source told The Athletic's Jason Lloyd, who also reports that Isaiah Thomas was never a focal point in the Cavs' negotiations with the Boston Celtics prior to the Kyrie Irving trade.

It's been well documented that given James' free agency next year, the Cavaliers were insistent on receiving either a young blue-chip player or a high draft pick in exchange for Irving. They got the latter in the form of the Celtics' first-round pick next June, via the Brooklyn Nets. Extra negotiations stemming from Thomas' continued hip injury also netted them a second-rounder in 2020.

Thomas, by most accounts - including his own, will not be ready for the start of the regular season, which is a serious concern given his role will be to pick up the secondary scoring load vacated by Irving. While there is nothing public to suggest the severity of Thomas' injury, Lloyd refers to a source with knowledge of hip issues who believes the diminutive guard could be out until the All-Star break.

Related: Why the NBA's next offseason will be even wilder than 2017

Various reports over the last few months have suggested James could decamp his native northeast Ohio for the second time in his career next summer, possibly to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Given that reality, the Cavs probably received the best balance possible even though they were effectively forced to trade Irving. By receiving two picks - one of high value - and a solid player on a favorable contract in Jae Crowder, they come away with future assets before the addition of Thomas, who if healthy, has statistically been the same player as Irving for the last six seasons.

One report this month suggested LeBron has made no decision regarding his future. He turns 33 in December, and is about to embark on his 15th NBA season.

Gilbert and Cleveland fans were already bitten once by James' departure to the Miami Heat in 2010, prompting the billionaire mortgage lender owner to craft an ill-advised missive toward the superstar in Comic Sans MS font.

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