As LeBron James continues to rewrite history in his record-breaking 23rd NBA season, the question of what comes next is quietly building across the league.
And if the Lakers legend decides he is not done playing after this year, one familiar franchise is ready to welcome him home.
The Cleveland Cavaliers would “gladly welcome” James back this summer if he chooses to return for a third stint with the organization that drafted him, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
“Multiple team and league sources told ESPN the Cavaliers would gladly welcome James back this summer if he wanted to return to Cleveland for his 24th NBA season and third stint with the team,” McMenamin reported.
The 41-year-old is in a contract year with the Lakers after picking up his $52.6 million player option last June.
He has not yet committed to playing beyond this season, but his production suggests he still has plenty left.
Despite missing the first 14 games of the year with sciatica, James has played in 28 games and is averaging 22.4 points, 6.7 assists, and 6 rebounds in just over 33 minutes per night.
While the Lakers sit 5th in the Western Conference, uncertainty has surrounded James’ long-term future in Los Angeles. The franchise did not offer him an extension, and reports surfaced that he was not informed in advance about the sale of the team from the Buss family to Mark Walter, a move that reportedly did include new cornerstone Luka Doncic.
Still, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka has publicly reiterated his hope that James finishes his career in purple and gold.
“I’d love if LeBron’s story would be to retire as a Laker,” Pelinka said earlier this season.
Cleveland, however, remains a logical alternative if James chooses to move on. James already delivered the franchise its first championship in 2016 and remains the most important player in team history.
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