Stop the presses. Hide the jerseys. Warm up the conspiracy boards. A new report says LeBron James could leave the Lakers and return to Cleveland again. Yes, again. Because if there is one thing LeBron loves almost as much as basketball, it’s a dramatic homecoming.
The report hit the internet and chaos followed. Fans gasped, others shrugged. Some immediately started Photoshopping LeBron back in a Cavs jersey like it’s 2014 all over again. History loves to repeat itself especially when LeBron is involved.
Let’s be clear. LeBron is 41. He has played for a long time. He has seen everything. Championships, finals losses, Twitter debates that never end and yet, the idea of him leaving Los Angeles still shakes the league. That’s power!
James’ impact on Cleveland can be felt everywhere, including inside the Cavaliers’ locker room, where Donovan Mitchell hopes to follow in James’ footsteps.
“Just being here in Cleveland, you want to replicate what he did,” Mitchell told The California Post after scoring 45 points on 15-for-25 shooting in the Cavaliers’ 114-98 win over Orlando on Monday. “You want to win a championship. You see the love he got from the city. Obviously, he’s from here. But to see the love that I’m getting, that we’re getting as a team, it’s like, man, you want to be able to do that and achieve that.”
James, who was drafted by Cleveland as the No. 1 overall pick in 2003, took the Cavaliers to the Finals five times in his 11 seasons with the team, including four straight years from 2015-2018. He led the franchise to their only championship in their 55-year history in 2016.
James, who will become an unrestricted free agent after this season, hasn’t ruled out a return to Cleveland, which would bring his illustrious career full circle. “The door’s not closed on that,” he told The Athletic in 2022.
LeBron James is who he claims he is and that’s the power he holds in the NBA. Everything aboit him is big news!
When Mitchell was asked if he’d be intrigued to share the court with James, he flashed a smile.
“That ain’t up to me,” Mitchell told The California Post. “That ain’t up to me. I’m focused on these guys in the locker room. And from that point, everything else kinda goes where it does. But that ain’t me. I’m focused on what we got here and I’m excited for that.”
This is what Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson also had to say.
“I know Cavs fans will just celebrate him every game he plays,” he said. “Every game we get a chance to compete against him, compete in the same arena, it’s a celebration. I always felt like LeBron, as great as he is, he always played with class. He’s respectful of the team, respectful of his opponent, class act, great for the NBA, I can’t wait. It could be his last game here. He could also have four more years left. As great as he is, as great as he’s playing, who has done this?”
Is it happening? Nobody really knows. LeBron has mastered the art of silence. He lets rumors breathe, watches the chaos and then he either stays put or flips the league upside down.
So for now, enjoy the rumors, enjoy the memes and enjoy the speculation.
