LeBron James Could Return To Cleveland Cavaliers This Offseason If He Doesn’t Retire
NBA legend LeBron James could return to the Cleveland Cavaliers this offseason if he doesn’t retire, according to Joe Vardon and Jason Lloyd of The Athletic.
James becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason for the first time since 2018. The future Hall of Famer left the Cavaliers for the Los Angeles Lakers in the offseason of 2018.
Cleveland traded Darius Garland to the Los Angeles Clippers for James Harden. James has a rapport with Harden and Donovan Mitchell.
“LeBron James will be a free agent this summer, and if he chooses to play a 24th NBA season, sources close to him said Cleveland would be an obvious destination. His salary would not be close to the $52.6 million he’s earning now in Los Angeles, but at age 41 he is aware of the market realities facing him if he extends his career.”
James, of course, has played for the Cavaliers twice. He’s the greatest player in franchise history and will get his No. 23 jersey retired one day. The Akron native guided Cleveland to the 2016 NBA championship against the 73-9 Golden State Warriors. It’s the only title the Wine and Gold have won.
Arguably the best player in NBA history, James is 41. He’s the oldest active player in the league. The basketball icon hasn’t announced whether he will retire this offseason or continue playing.
James has played for the Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Lakers. He’s a four-time MVP, four-time champion and four-time Finals MVP. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer will finish this season with the Lakers, but if James doesn’t retire this offseason, a return to Los Angeles isn’t guaranteed.
Baxter Holmes of ESPN wrote a story published on January 21 that detailed the strained relationship between James and Lakers acting governor Jeanie Buss.
If James doesn’t retire from the NBA this offseason, it will be fascinating to see where he’s playing next season. A return to the Cavaliers would be a storybook ending, that’s for certain.
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