Donovan Mitchell and LeBron James
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Donovan Mitchell is averaging 29.5 points per game, which is fifth best in the league.
The future of LeBron James could see a reunion with the Cleveland Cavaliers if his recent comments praising the team hold deeper meaning. James is not expected to retire after this season, so his upcoming free agency could become the biggest story in the NBA in a couple of months. The Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron seem to be going in different directions to make it more likely he’ll need to find a new team.
James went out of his way to praise the Cavaliers’ recent trades via his Mind the Game podcast with co-host Steve Nash:
“They’re going for it. They felt like they needed another playmaker, someone that’s been there, kind of been in this situation before, and they added James (Harden), perennial All-Star who’s still putting up All-Star numbers. (Harden) gives Donovan Mitchell another, like, ball handler guy who can make shots late in the game.”
The biggest move of Cleveland adding James Harden for Darius Garland was praised strongly. Many NBA minds felt the Cavaliers having two smaller guards who play too similar was a problem. LeBron believes it’s a positive move that will help everyone out and even stated he felt the move proved they were going “all in” for a real chance at the NBA Championship.
LeBron Praises Old Teammate Joining Cavaliers
The commentary on Cleveland continued with James stating he felt the trade with the Sacramento Kings was underrated. Cavaliers management traded disgruntled wing player DeAndre Hunter in exchange for Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder. LeBron referenced his former teammate being a strong addition and praised the team’s new depth.
“Those pickups that they got from Sac as well, you know, Schroder, a former teammate of mine, you know that’s going to compete every single night, and Keon Ellis, the guy’s going to compete, make shots,” LeBron shared. “Like, those guys are going to be, I think, really, really good for that team, especially in the East, where it’s a lot of bulk. You’ve got to have some dogs in there, so I think they added a lot.”
Cleveland has certainly raised their ceiling for this season and hopes to contend for a title. However, they’ll also have the flexibility to make moves and add new talents in the offseason. A combination of this timing and James’ comments is adding more to the reunion rumors.
Could LeBron Be Cleveland’s Missing Piece?
Betting odds currently see the Cavaliers in the same ballpark with the Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, and Boston Celtics as four teams who can realistically win the Eastern Conference. However, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets are stronger favorites to win it all via the West.
Cleveland ending the season with any result other than winning the NBA Championship will create a scenario where LeBron could easily be viewed as the missing piece. Free agency will make it easier to sign James or work out a sign and trade with Los Angeles.
The writing on the wall about the Lakers likely moving on to build a new roster around Luka Doncic will give LeBron the chance to end his career elsewhere. No team makes more sense than the Cavaliers as both a contender and the perfect storybook ending to retire with his home team.