CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It would be nice if the Cleveland Cavaliers could secure a long-term commitment from LeBron James. It's doubtful that will happen for a variety of reasons:

1. The history between owner Dan Gilbert and James is very rocky. No need to re-hash all the old hash of the 2010 Decision leading James to Miami and Gilbert's heated email that followed.

2. In some ways, Gilbert and James are like a couple who were married for a while. Then they had a bitter break up. Then four years later, they decided to try it again -- sort of year-to-year.

3. James had a variety of reasons for signing short-term contracts with the Cavs once he returned in the summer of 2014. His agent Rich Paul and contract negotiator Mark Termini figured out how to work the salary cap for their benefit. Soon, a few other players copied their idea of signing a one-year deal with a player option for a second season.

4. But the short-term deals also keep the pressure on Gilbert to spend big trying to win now. James and his advisors have seen other players sign long-term deals with teams, then watch the teams not go "all in" to win a title. I use "all in," because that was one of the Cavs battle cries when James returned.

5. Just look at the Cavs payrolls and all the luxury tax paid by Gilbert. Over the last four seasons, no franchise has spent more on payroll and luxury taxes. So Gilbert has a right to say he has kept up his end of the bargain. That's what he promised at their meeting in 2014 setting up James' return to Cleveland.

6. James is 33. He has been in the NBA for 15 years. It may look as if he'll play forever. He remains one of the greatest ever. But James often says, "Father Time is undefeated." He believes that. He wants to maximize each of his remaining seasons in terms of winning titles.

7. When Gilbert didn't retain former general manager David Griffin, it hurt the relationship between the team and James. Not all of Griffin's moves worked out. But he was an excellent communicator between players, coaches and the front office.

8. James respected Griffin. Griffin's top assistant (Trent Redden) also left when Griffin was fired after the 2017 NBA Finals. That put new general manager Koby Altman on the spot.

9. Griffin told me Altman can become a good general manager. But Altman is 35. He's in charge of an aging team with James having the option to leave and faces the need to make a trade right now to help fix many of the roster problems.

10. Altman inherited the toxic Kyrie Irving situation. The trade with Boston has been a mess in the short term. Isaiah Thomas isn't close to his best physical condition. Jae Crowder has had a hard time fitting in. The final verdict is not in because the 2018 Brooklyn draft pick is a huge part of the trade.

LEBRON AND WARRIORS?

I absolutely detest stories like this in the middle of the season. But ESPN squeezed some mileage (and Internet hits) about a report of how James would consider meeting with the Warriors once free agency opens in July.

That's right ... in July. And this is February. And the Warriors have zero salary cap room to make such a major move. To be exact, the Warriors have the NBA's highest payroll ($138 million). Right behind are the Cavs ($137 million).

And I thought it was all set for James and Paul George to join forces with the L.A. Lakers next season? Done deal, right? But that was a few months ago.

And this is February.

It's ridiculous to play this guessing game. I doubt James would do this, but he does have a player option for about $35 million with the Cavs for 2018-19. Or he could sign another 1-and-1 contract -- a new deal for 2018-19 with a player option for 2019-20 to stay.

Or he could sign a five-year, $250 million maximum deal with the Cavs. Or could leave for another team.

At Friday's practice, James called the Golden State story "nonsense" and a "non-story." He clearly was upset by the report.

Just remember, James is a master of keeping his options open.

"I will handle my summer situation when summer gets here," James said.

This is February. When it comes to James and free agency, no one knows anything in February -- including James.

CAVS AND TRADES

1. I keep hearing the Cavs absolutely won't trade the Brooklyn draft pick. That's not true. I've heard from top league sources the Cavs will do it -- but not for a short-term answer such as DeAndre Jordan. That's because Jordan can become a free agent at the end of the season.

2. The Cavs would trade the pick for a younger player who is under team control for a few years. But they are willing to deal their own first-round pick in 2018 for the right short-term fix.

3. The Cavs should wait on Jordan and build a package with Iman Shumpert and their own first-round pick. Channing Frye combined with Shumpert would make the deal work on the salary cap, but I'd hate to see Frye leave. The Cavs should not bid against themselves by making a rash offer.

4. I have heard J.R. Smith is being offered to various teams. Smith is paid $13.7 million this season, with $14.7 million in 2018-19. He has a $15.7 million salary ($3.9 million guaranteed) for 2019-20.

5. One of Boston's weaknesses is rebounding. The Celtics just improved in that area when they signed 6-foot-11 free agent Greg Monroe. I've always liked Monroe. He is an old-fashioned low-post player. The 27-year-old has averaged 14 points, 8.7 rebounds in 29 minutes per game for his career.

6. Irving's presence on the Celtics helped attract Monroe, bought out by Phoenix. I was told the Cavs didn't have a lot of interest. Boston also could offer him more money than the Cavs or New Orleans. He signed for $5 million and a chance to play on the team leading the Eastern Conference.

7. Meanwhile, the Cavs are without leading rebounder Kevin Love (broken hand) for an estimated two months. Tyson Chandler is 35. The 7-foot center is stuck in Phoenix on a team going nowhere. He's averaging 6.5 points and 9.6 rebounds in 25 minutes a game. I've always like Chandler's game.

8. Chandler is making $13 million this season and $13.5 million next year. I keep thinking there are the makings of a deal between the Cavs and Suns involving Chandler.

CAVS FOR SALE?

Last week, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith mentioned in passing that Dan Gilbert wants to sell the Cavs. There was no follow up. That's because there appears to be absolutely nothing going on right now.

I did some checking and what has been happening the last few years is Gilbert has quietly been buying out some of his minor partners. Most of them have been very small purchases, less than 1 percent.

So there may be some action on the ownership front, but it's more in that direction.

Former Cavs majority owner Gordon Gund still retains about 14 percent of the team. I'm told Gilbert has more than 75 percent. So they control about 90 percent of the franchise.