On Tuesday, the NBA world received a jolt when LeBron James announced that he would not be returning to the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason in free agency. Immediately, fans began speculating on where his next stop will be, with some floating the idea of a third stint with the Cleveland Cavs as a possibility for the star.
James made headlines recently when he posted an Instagram story of himself driving through the streets of Northeast Ohio, which will certainly not do anything to calm down the rumors of his potential return to Cleveland. James last joined the Cavs in 2014 when he went there from the Miami Heat to begin his second stint in his home city, which resulted in a championship two summers later.
However, not everyone is fully on board with the idea.
“I do not think that the Cavs are a realistic option, I have not heard that the Cavs are out, but I have certainly not heard that they’re in,” said analyst Brian Windhorst, per ESPN Cleveland on X, formerly Twitter.
Meanwhile, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported on some proactive takes the Cavs are taking in anticipation of James’ potential arrival.
“Amid LeBron James’ impending exit from Los Angeles, sources say the Cavaliers have held ongoing trade conversations regarding veterans Max Strus and Dennis Schröder, which could help Cleveland free the space to add James,” reported Fischer on X.
At age 41, James is no longer the same player he was when he last departed Cleveland in 2018, but he remains a top 20-ish player in the league today, having been the best player in a postseason series when the Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets in the spring.
In any case, it will be an exciting next few days for Cleveland.