LeBron James' influence over the Cavaliers' roster moves may not be as great as everyone believes

When LeBron James re-signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the summer of 2014, the widespread belief was he would have a voice in all personnel moves.

After James devastated the team by leaving as a free agent in 2010, the NBA world believed that the threat of LeBron leaving again would give him leverage over the Cavs front office.

There's some validity to it. James reportedly had a hand in approving the Kevin Love trade, and he said he signed off on the trade that brought J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert to the Cavs mid-season.

However, despite LeBron continually signing short contracts - a move that also earns him more money - his control over the front office may not be as strong as people believe. In a video for Bleacher Report, Ric Bucher states that the Cavs don't fear LeBron leaving Cleveland again after he decided to return last summer.

In discussing the Cavaliers' ongoing negotiations with free agent power forward Tristan Thompson - who LeBron has publicly stated he would like re-signed - Bucher says, "I'm told that, privately, the Cavaliers are convinced that LeBron cannot afford to break Cleveland's hearts a second time and leave and therefore does not have the leverage that everybody supposes he has."

This could have a direct impact on Thompson's future. Thompson has been holding out for a max. contract, threatening to sign a one-year deal this season and become an unrestricted free agent next summer if he doesn't get his max. The Cavs, clearly, don't believe Thompson is a max. player, and though they'd surely like to re-sign him, haven't caved to his demands.

The belief, however, has been that because LeBron wants Thompson back, the Cavs will eventually have to pony up to re-sign Thompson. With several players making eight-figure salaries next season, a max. contract for Thompson would balloon the Cavs' payroll into near-historic tax levels. If the Cavs' front office isn't willing to cater to LeBron, they may not believe Thompson is worth the millions they'd pay in taxes for maxing him out.

Where the Cavs could bend, however, is signing Thompson to his preferred contract because they can't easily find a replacement for him. If that's the case, LeBron would still get what he wants, but not because of his own personal power.

Still, if the Cavs don't seriously fear LeBron bolting in free agency again, it could have major implications on how the team is built in the future. They clearly value his opinion, and he'll have a say, but if a player is demanding a contract the Cavs aren't comfortable with, they won't just cave because LeBron wants said player around.