NBA analyst Colin Cowherd questioned Los Angeles Lakers All-Star LeBron James’ past decisions, considering his relationship with the Lakers organization today, as he enters his final season with the storied franchise. It could also be the final season of his career. After Cavs fans saw James wearing a “Welcome Home” hat, could we eventually see LeBron return to Cleveland? Maybe. It’s too early to say.
However, seeing where James it today, Cowherd questions why he ever left the Miami Heat after winning two titles, considering he left the Cavs again after leading them to their first championship in franchise history in 2016. Cowherd reflected on James’ moves throughout his career, dating back to 2010 and beyond, per Fox Sports 1’s The Herd.
“If I was LeBron, I would have stayed in Miami because of Erik Spoelstra, Mickey Eris, and Pat Riley, and the Miami Heat are always in contention for great free agents,” Cowherd said. “I would have stayed there. Now, people say, well, LeBron, his heart was in Cleveland. No, it wasn’t. He left it a second time. And the reason he left it, this time, it was time to go to LA. It was good for his brand. And he could play with bigger stars because stars like Luka and AD like to play in Los Angeles.”
Cowherd also weighed out the good and the bad for a player who didn’t stay in one place for an extended amount of years.
“The downside, and I speak from experience, to bouncing around the country in your career, you never live in that cul-de-sac, where your kids grow up and have lifelong friends,” Cowherd added. “I have to live with that. The upside to moving around a lot, and LeBron has seen this, he’s overall played with better teammates. Michael’s best teammate? He’s got one great one; Scottie Pippen.
“LeBron’s played with more great players. LeBron’s been to more Finals. LeBron’s had fewer long droughts or battles within an organization. He bails for commerce and that’s OK,” Cowherd concluded.
Cavs fans react to LeBron James’ “Welcome Home” hat
Katie Goodale-USA TODAY Network
After the offseason spelled any potential Lakers’ LeBron James trade to the Cavs, fans still wondered if James was winking to his old fanbase while wearing a “Welcome Home” hat on a golf course during the summer. He typically vacations and trains in the Cleveland area during his offseason.
However, given the Lakers didn’t offer a long-term deal to LeBron, making him a free agent after 2025-26, Cavs fans wonder if he’d play one final season back home.
