As the basketball world speculates on LeBron James’ next destination, the NBA legend has ensured that nobody but his inner circle knows which way he’s thinking. From the outside, all we know is that LeBron wants to compete in his final seasons, but how or where he plans to achieve that goal is still unclear.
If you ask his former teammate, Markieff Morris, however, he’ll likely point to Cleveland. In a rather cryptic tweet without much context, the former Lakers forward outlined a scenario where the Cavaliers give up their starting point guard James Harden to make room for two new acquisitions: LeBron James and Jalen Green.
“Harden to [Phoenix]! Jalen Green to Cleveland,” wrote Morris on X. “Bron to Cleveland!”
It’s a mystery if Morris was making a prediction or reporting on future events, but it was enough to get fan speculation moving. As someone who has played with LeBron, Morris knows how he operates better than most. It’s also possible that he still has direct access to LeBron himself, even years after they split. That means he likely has some inkling of where LeBron might be headed.
As one of the final teams left in the running, and the one he has the most direct ties with, it makes sense for LeBron to sign with the Cavs, regardless of who else they add. It’s the perfect storybook ending for James, and a way for him to compete for a title in the final stages of his career. Alongside Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen, LeBron could really thrive in Cleveland, and there’s no doubt he’d elevate their ceiling.
If they just sign LeBron outright, the Cavaliers don’t need to give up James Harden. In fact, it’s believed that he’s already agreed to re-sign with the Cavs once LeBron decides where he will go. The only reason to give him up is to make space for both LeBron and Jalen Green. Green, 24, is a promising young shooting guard who has shown some flashes of greatness over the years. While not a star, he could help make up for Harden’s departure with career averages of 19.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game on 42.2% shooting and 31.3% shooting from three.
From the Sun’s perspective, it’s unclear why they would do this trade. James Harden and Devin Booker would surely be a nice backcourt tandem, but Harden doesn’t seem like the ideal fit as an aging veteran star who likes the ball in his hands. What’s worse, Harden would expect a new extension almost immediately, putting Phoenix on the hook for millions to pay for a 36-year-old in decline. Still, you never know what could happen in the NBA, and the Suns might be swayed with one or two picks attached.
For now, Morris’ scenario looks more like a long-shot proposition than an actual prediction, but stranger things have happened in the NBA. If LeBron really wants to go to Cleveland, but isn’t convinced by the roster, they might pull a move like this to mix things up and address some of their biggest flaws.
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