By recruiting Donovan Mitchell last week in an XXL trade, the Cavaliers took another step towards the heights of the Eastern Conference. The Cleveland franchise seems more equipped than ever to return to the Playoffs for the first time without a certain LeBron James and thus definitively emerge from the shadow of the King. But paradoxically, the rise of the Cavs puts the rumors of a return of LeBron in Ohio on the front of the stage…
Since 2018 and James’ second start, general manager Koby Altman has done a lot to put the Cavaliers back on the NBA map. Darius Garland and Evan Mobley recovered in the Draft, Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert through transfers, and then of course this blockbuster deal to bring Donovan Mitchell back to Ohio, so many moves that today allow Cleveland to show the muscles within an Eastern Conference which promises to be hyper competitive. But in Ohio, LeBron’s towering shadow is never far away, no matter how hard Darius Garland tries to write his own legacy with his Cavs pals. Rumors of James potentially returning to his home state leaked last year’s All-Star Weekend in Cleveland, and the King’s contract situation is also one to fuel rumours. Because if Bronbron has just extended his adventure with the Lakers for two more years, we remind you that he has a player option for the 2024-25 season and that he can thus become a free agent in two years…
Well…
All that’s missing is a winger to sign with the Cavs…
Gender in the summer of 2024…
Possibly a local player…
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) September 1, 2022
The scenario of a James return to Cleveland was discussed by Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (via HoopsHype), always knowledgeable when it comes to talking about the Cavaliers. This is what he has to tell us.
“I think the Cavaliers are open to a LeBron return, but on their own terms. Terms that are very different from those of 2014 when he returned. When you get LeBron, there are a lot of things that go with it. […] He wants to be at the center of everything and have a team built around his strengths.
The Cavaliers will not sign for such a situation. They are confident in what they have, especially with the arrival of Donovan Mitchell. In 2014, they needed a savior. »
In fact, the situations are radically different. In 2014, Cleveland remained on four seasons without Playoffs and no campaign with more than 33 victories. Today, the Cavaliers are in a position to make some noise in the East after the very good rise of last year (positive record of 44 wins – 38 losses, participation in the play-in tournament), and have a great opportunity to be the first version of the Cavs to play the Playoffs without LeBron since… 1998. Either way, a James return would challenge the Ohio franchise’s “emancipation” from the King. We can therefore understand the reservations currently displayed by the Cavaliers and communicated by Chris Fedor. However, can you really say no to LeBron, especially when you’re in Cleveland? Not so sure. We can suggest it in 2022, but what about 2024 if the opportunity really presents itself?
In the end, the end of LeBron James’ career will probably depend on the start of his son Bronny’s career. Just recently, the King reaffirmed his desire to play with his son in the NBA (and also with his other son Bryce). James has specifically put himself in a position to be able to choose his destination in 2024 when Bronny can potentially be drafted. The franchise that decides to bet on the latter will have a good chance of getting LeBron as a bonus (unless it’s the opposite…), even if the King will have to sign for a year at minimum wage.
“Wherever Bronny is, that’s where I’ll be. I will do whatever it takes to play with my son for a season. It has nothing to do with money anymore. »
– LeBron James in February 2022
Los Angeles? Cleveland? March ? If LeBron James seems to be enjoying his life in Los Angeles today, it’s hard to say where the 37-year-old King will end his legendary career. In any case, rumors of a new return to the Cavaliers are likely to grow more and more in the next two years, especially if the Ohio franchise can give LeBron a great opportunity to add a new champion ring to his CV.
Source texte : Chris Fedor via HoopsHype