CLEVELAND (AP) -The Cleveland Cavaliers don’t currently have a coach, any draft picks or a clue if LeBron James is coming back.
But in this volatile summer, things are changing quickly.
The Cavs, who traded away their selections while chasing an NBA title, are trying to move back into Thursday’s draft through a trade. The team has purchased second-round picks in each of the past two years, and could be positioning to do it again.
Meanwhile, Cleveland remains in a holding pattern in its coaching search. The Cavs have had talks with several candidates, including Byron Scott. But the former New Orleans coach is waiting to see what happens with Phil Jackson and the Los Angeles Lakers before he considers another job.
have had multiple conversations with Scott about replacing Mike Brown.
Scott’s dream has been to coach the Lakers, and he would be the favorite to succeed Jackson because of his ties to the team and strong relationships with superstar Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson and owner Jerry Buss.
The Cavs have had second interviews with several other candidates, but none of them has a resume like Scott, who went to seven NBA finals as a player and coach. Last week, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo turned down a lucrative offer from Cleveland, which has been conducting its coaching search and draft preparations with James’ free agency less than two weeks away.
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