Pluto's scribbles: When the Cavaliers made their mid-season trade with the Los Angeles Lakers to acquire Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson, it was perceived to clear a path for LeBron James and another max free agent to join the Lakers this summer. While James went that way, Paul George stayed in Oklahoma City. Los Angeles did not add that second player on a max contract. Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto says there are still reasons to like the deal. Read more.

Crash and burn: Race car driver Danica Patrick hosted the ESPYs on Wednesday night and made a shortsighted dig at Cleveland. She also tried to joke about LeBron James' move to Cleveland. Read more.

Depth shows:  Collin Sexton was named one of the five best players at NBA Las Vegas Summer League, writes cleveland.com's Joe Vardon. Sexton, taken eighth by the Cavaliers in last month's NBA Draft, and No. 7 pick Wendell Carter Jr. of Chicago were the highest picks to make the first team. Read more.

National sports show: More than 140 athletes and coaches will be signing autographs at the National Sports Collectors Convention, which is Wednesday-Sunday, Aug. 1-5, writes cleveland.com's Marc Bona. Among them is former Cavaliers coach Mike Fratello, who will be there 4 p.m. Aug. 4. Read more.

Potential Love deals: Many continue to ask the same question about Kevin Love. Will the Cavs trade their All-Star forward? Members of the front office have been adamant about that being the wrong move at this point, wanting to see how the team looks before swinging a deal. But what could the Cavaliers get? Cleveland.com's Chris Fedor explores five potential Love deals. Read more.

 

Check out our new talk show: Looking for something different while you're waiting for training camp to start? Check out "Cleveland Sports Tonite," our new talk show that debuted Tuesday night. What is it? Our attempt at a late-night talk show format with a desk, a couch, jokes, guests and a band -- all focused on Cleveland sports. It's hosted by cleveland.com columnist Doug Lesmerises. And hear some awesome poetry about JR Smith. Watch it here.

National view
Scoochie Smith weighing his options: Former Dayton Flyer Scoochie Smith averaged 8.3 points in seven games for the Cavaliers during the summer league. Smith told the Dayton Daily News his play pleased the Cavaliers, and he thought they were surprised by his performance. Read more.
 

See more Cavaliers

Keep up with the cleveland.com YouTube page devoted to the Cavaliers. Click here to subscribe.

Today's birthdays: Alvan Adams (1954), Brooks Thompson (1970), Adam Morrison (1984), LaMarcus Aldridge (1985).