Some NBA superstars demand trades when they feel like their team is inadequate. Some stay with their team against their will but phone in games. Others, who often get compared to larger-than-life deities, simply step up and proceed to carry their team to the NBA Finals.

For the superstars who prove they can single-handedly take their team to the “promise land,” teams find it in their best interest to go out of their way to stockpile as much talent as possible. In Cleveland, general manager Danny Ferry has but one goal, and one goal only: keep LeBron James happy. A player like James comes once in a lifetime; with his contract up in 2 years, the Cavs knew that adding talent around their star would be the best chance they have at keeping “The Chosen One” for the long haul.

So, to prove that complacency is overrated in the NBA, the defending Eastern Conference Champs traded away 60% of their roster. A shake-up with a bow around it and a note:

Dear Bron-Bron,

Thought you might like to play with these pieces; might just get us over that NBA Finals hump. Enjoy.

Thanks,
Management.

Unsatisfied with being the first-place losers, just before the 3pm traded deadline buzzer, the Cavs shipped out old parts — Larry Hughes, Donyell Marshall, Drew Gooden, Ira Newble and Shannon Brown — and imported new ones — Wally Szczerbiak, Joe Smith and Delonte West. They also secured a 2009 second-round pick from Chicago.

The move gives James a solid outside shooter in Szczerbiak, a power defender to make the hustle plays as he gets healthier with Wallace, and a up-and-coming young point guard who can bring the ball up court with a little toughness.

But will this move fend off the thoughts of jumping ship to New York in two years?

Needless to say, the odds are against the Cavs. Even if these players turn out to be the major pieces to get the Cavs the title in the next two years, would LeBron still stick around? The number one goal in his mind, many a time, is to become sports’ first billionaire. Yes, championships will help, but from the standpoint of making money, where’s the money-making capital of the world? New York.

His buddy and great pal Jay-Z has a partial ownership of the New Jersey Nets, who should set-up shop in Brooklyn by 2010 or so. What’s stopping him from beauty pageant-waving his way out of Cleveland and into the city where moneymakers are insomniacs?
Kobe Bryant wanted out of Los Angeles… until the Lakers front office pulled off a coo, acquiring Paol Gasol from Memphis for practically nothing in return.

Shaq was having one of his worst pro seasons… until he was shipped out west to Phoenix to play alongside 2-time MVP Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire and the fun and gun Suns offense.

LeBron won the Eastern Conference for the Cavs single-handedly, a la 2001 Allen Iverson with the 76ers, despite the charges he did not have the “fire” or “killer instinct” to get to the “promise land” of the sport…

Want to know what’s next for the kid who we already know is the cause of, and answer to, the big question: “Who’s Now?”

Sorry to tell you this, Cleveland, but herein lies LeBron’s future — he will soon be discussing his fondness to great, Big Apples, and there won’t be a thing you or your mounds of dollars can do about it.