NBA FREE AGENCY GETS EXPENSIVE

If the Cleveland Cavaliers can achieve their dream, they will spend about $200 million to retain their top players – LeBron James and Kevin Love among them.

Good luck. As the NBA free agency period opens on Wednesday, people are in motion. One of them could be Love.

The Los Angeles Lakers, who finished a franchise-worst 21-61, want to meet with Love. They’re also interested in LaMarcus Aldridge of the Portland Trail Blazers and the Trail Blazers have a number of players they want to keep. The Lakers are also casting an eye at Dwyane Wade, who opted out of his contract with the Miami Heat. And the Lakers will check in with Marc Gasol, though he is expected to stay with the Memphis Grizzlies.

For Cleveland to keep Love, they’ll have to offer a maximum contract — $110 million for five years. And they’ll of course have to re-sign James, among others. Aldridge is also thought to be on the San Antonio Spurs’ wish list.

Players cannot sign new deals until next week, but the feeding frenzy should start immediately.

SOCCER

Can’t let this blog go without kudos to the United States Women’s National Team, which beat No. 1 Germany 2-0 on Tuesday night in Montreal.

The U.S. will play in its fourth World Cup final on Sunday against either England or Japan – they play Wednesday night in Edmonton. Hope Solo notched her fifth shutout of the World Cup tournament and Carli Lloyd’s goal on a penalty kick in the 69^th minute secured the win over Germany for the No. 2 U.S. squad.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .