LeBron’s move to L.A. benefits East, and Heat
The Cavaliers’ loss benefits everyone else in the East.
Tom D’Angelo: The work in Miami isn’t done, but with James’ exit, Cleveland will crater and Miami will move into the top four.
SACRAMENTO, CALIF. — The Miami Heat are getting better by standing pat.
OK, that’s not what Heat followers, clamoring for Pat Riley to do something, do anything, just for the sake of making a change, want to hear. But the Eastern Conference, already considered the undercard to the heavyweight fight that is the Western Conference, just watched the Cleveland Cavaliers go from a team that has gone to four consecutive Finals to one that is headed for the lottery.
And everybody else will benefit.
LeBron James’ decision to join the Los Angeles Lakers will send the Cavs into another tailspin. The last time he left, Cleveland went from a team that won 127 games in the two previous seasons to 97 in the next four. And that means a bump for every team in the East, including the Heat.
Miami is, for the most part, a free agency bystander this summer with a roster that is about $18 million over the cap. The Heat won 44 games last season and finished sixth in a race in which the final three teams were separated by one game. Riley already has floated the idea that the Heat may have to suck it up for another offseason, bring back the same old gang and try to improve from within, which can happen with Dion Waiters expected to be healthy for a full season and young players like Josh Richardson and Bam Adebayo trending in a positive direction.