One NBA insider believes the Cleveland Cavaliers will reunite with LeBron James a second time to chase a championship later this season.
This season offers as good an opportunity as the Cavaliers have ever had to reach the NBA Finals and win a second championship. Both the Celtics and Pacers will be far weaker than last season, and Cleveland brings back the same roster that won 64 games last season. But there are still doubters about whether they can take the next step after back-to-back semifinal eliminations.
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They seem one big piece away from being a title contender, and SNY NBA insider Ian Begley believes the final piece to their title puzzle will be none other than LeBron James. “LeBron James will be moved to Cleveland during the season and will ultimately own a controlling stake in the team,” he wrote in a predictions piece before opening night of the new season.
There have been rumblings since the summer that James’ days in Los Angeles are numbered as they transition to long-term planning with Luka Doncic as the new face of the franchise. He is in the final year of his contract, and still wants to win another championship before he calls it a career.
What would a LeBron James trade to the Cavaliers look like?
lebron james
David Gonzales-Imagn Images
There have been rumors in recent months that the Cavaliers would be interested in bringing James back to his original team for a third tenure. Especially if he can help them win a championship this season. Furthermore, Cleveland may be open to taking Bronny James back in the deal, which might be a preference if James is willing to accept an in-season move.
However, moving his $52 million contract this season won’t be easy. So what would it take to get a trade done before the deadline later this season? The Cavaliers are in a tough spot since they are over the second apron, so they can aggregate contracts to match the amount James is being paid.
They would need to move a player like Jarrett Allen and take very little back in separate deals to first get under the punishing second apron. Then they could make a deal for James (and maybe Bronny) that would probably send Darius Garland and Max Strus to LA. It is debatable if they really would get better under such a scenario.
However, a post-trade deadline starting five for the Cavaliers would be Evan Mobley, Lebron James, De’Andre Hunter, Sam Merrill, and Donovan Mitchell.
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After earning his journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos served as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sucka ... More about Jason Burgos