Cavaliers’ overhaul is already working

Luka Doncic is putting together a big run at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Teammate Mike Tobey said that’s no surprise, given Doncic’s new commitment to being in shape.

“I’d say I feel he’s a little bit more rested. He looks fresh and in shape, he’s really taking care of his body and himself a lot more seriously this summer. You can tell it by his nutrition, by how he looks, he’s in a lot better shape,” Tobey said. “I really see a big step forward in that part of his professionalism. He seems to be more focused. It seems both. I’ve said it before with friends and family. I can’t imagine what it’s like to have that kind of fame, constantly everybody asking you questions.”

After the Dallas Mavericks missed the NBA postseason, Doncic reportedly took the opportunity to rest and recover in his native Slovenia. He also took the time to work on his body and his conditioning, and the results have been positive in the World Cup.

The Chicago Bulls and Zach LaVine are reportedly exploring the idea of him being traded. As the first All-Star level player to come available since Damian Lillard and James Harden, LaVine is expected to have a wide market.

The Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers are all expected to have interest in LaVine. The Lakers would be bringing LaVine back to Los Angeles, where he played collegiately at UCLA.

Miami missed out on trading for Lillard, and could offer an enticing of package of expiring salary and young players/draft picks to Chicago for LaVine. As for the Sixers, they just created a lot of long-term salary flexibility when they traded Harden. They also have several players on expiring contracts, as well as some draft picks to offer for LaVine.

The NBA has opened an inquiry into the circumstances around James Harden’s public critique of Daryl Morey in which he was called “a liar.” Harden also said he will never play for a team that also employs Morey.

The league is pursuing whether Harden was portending a hold out of the 23-24 season, or if he was referencing past contract discussions with the Sixers that could be a circumvention of the cap.

Harden has privately indicated that his public comments calling Morey a “liar” on Monday morning had only been a response to Morey ending trade discussions. Harden exercised his $35.6 million player option with the Sixers in late June with the expectation he would be traded.

The Sixers told Harden that they hadn’t found a workable trade with the Los Angeles Clippers and expect him to report to camp in September.

The Sixers were stripped of two second round picks for premature conversations last offseason with P.J. Tucker and Danuel House.