The Cleveland Cavaliers will always be tied to LeBron James.
He’s the greatest player in franchise history, and it’s almost impossible to talk about either without mentioning the other.
However, things haven’t always been smooth when he’s been on the team.
Nevertheless, the Cavs’ postseason struggles might make them reconsider another reunion, but according to NBA insider Marc Stein, it will not be this season.
“Before last season’s second-round flameout, I was pretty sure that the Cavaliers did not want anything to do with a third act, remembering how the two previous runs — spanning seven seasons and then four seasons — forced Planet Cavs to revolve completely around James. Now? The Cavaliers couldn’t trade for James even if they wanted to, since their luxury tax bill has them stuck in the second apron, but I do wonder if they have warmed to the idea of another reunion should it ever become possible via offseason free agency,” Stein wrote.
James has always gotten his way and can rejoin the Cavaliers again if he wants to.
The Cavs are in a tough spot financially, so he would have to take a pay cut to return and ride into the sunset with his hometown team.
If that’s not the case, then there’s likely no way the Cavs would do this.
Entering his 23rd NBA season, James isn’t the same player he was in the past, and while his numbers look great in a vacuum, he posted a plus-minus of minus-54 last season.
He can no longer single-handedly lead a team to the NBA Finals, but no one should expect a 40-year-old player to do so.
That’s just to say that the Cavs can’t afford to part with younger stars to make room for James.
So, if he truly wants to close out his career in Cleveland, the ball is in his court.
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