As momentum appears to be growing across the media landscape for LeBron James to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers and optimism follows suit here on local sports talk airwaves. However, the fact remains only a few people know where Akron’s native son will play next season.
There’s mass speculation, but that’s about it.
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The reality of James’ next (final?) chapter: only three teams make sense for him to join at this point and of those three, one qualifies on a minimal basis.
It’s not difficult to guess which teams they are because they’ve been mentioned plenty since James announced he would be parting ways with the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday, June 30. But how do those teams fit?
Why are the Golden State Warriors an attractive landing spot for James? He gets to remain in California for one, the state that has become his home away from home.
But the one that has been consistently cited: the ability to play ball with friends Steph Curry and Draymond Green. James and Curry bonded even more during their time with the USA Basketball’s Men Team in the 2024. That team brought home the gold and James claimed the MVP of the international tournament. Another friend, oft-injured center Anthony Davis, was also a part of that team.
Will it happen: Green opted out of the final year of his contract with the Warriors in the hopes of the team being able to lure James to San Francisco. However, James’ interest, according to reports, was contingent on the team trading for Davis.
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On June 30, Davis’ current team, the Washington Wizards, said not a chance. But it’s the NBA, right? What were the chances of LeBron James return to Cleveland for a second time in 2014?
The Miami Heat represent a familiar and obvious team for James to return. There’s history there, most of it good that came in the form of back-to-back championships from beating the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2012 and the San Antonio Spurs in 2013 with two league MVP awards to go with them.
Just as importantly, the Heat, a team that missed the playoffs this past season, made a gangster move in trading for ex-Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. President Pat Riley pushed all of his chips into the center of table with that acquisition. Adding James to a roster with Bam Adebayo, a re-signed Andrew Wiggins (the irony there given Wiggins, the team’s first-round draft pick, was sent packing when James returned to Cleveland in 2014) along with recently signed Tim Hardaway Jr., could make things more attractive.
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Will it happen: The lingering question is whether James and Riley, who has admitted that he was apoplectic when James took his talents from South Beach, can kiss and makeup? Remember: James mended fences with Dan Gilbert, so why not?
Yes, the Heat have history on their side. But the Cavs have more. There’s no denying it. Akron may not be his full-time home any longer and Miami may be where James “grew up,” but it can be argued he learned to lead while in Cleveland. Even with the championships with the Heat and him being part of a triumvirate — or Big Three — that included Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, but that was Wade’s team.
The Cavs, upon his return, immediately became his team, even with Kyrie Irving here. Ultimately that fact drove Irving to bid adieu, but that doesn’t change what it was. James prodded the team to trade for forward Kevin Love by parting with Wiggins, thus creating the Cavs own Big Three, beginning a run of four consecutive appearances in the NBA Finals — all against the Golden State Warriors.
