Should there be a second reunion between LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the said franchise has to maintain the hold of the keys of their overall operations.
As told by veteran Cavs insider Chris Fedor on HoopsHype’s Mike Scotto, he believes that the club will allow a reconnection with the four-time league MVP, provided that the pact will be “on their own terms, under the right terms.”
Fedor noted that the potential comeback in the future won’t hand James the full authority within the organization, unlike what he had in his second stint from 2014 to 2018. He added that they won’t be interested in letting the future hall of famer take over again because of the current special core they’ve established and the recent arrival of Donovan Mitchell.
“I think they’d be open to it on their own terms, under the right terms. Terms that are very different from the ones he came back to in 2014. When you acquire LeBron, there are a lot of things that go with that. He wants power. He wants to help make decisions over the roster and people that are hired within the organization. He wants to be at the center of everything and have a team built around his strengths and things along those lines.
“The Cavaliers would not sign up for that kind of situation. They feel good about what they have here, especially with the addition of Donovan Mitchell. Back in 2014, they needed a savior and needed LeBron to come back and take them to a different level.”
After his dynastic run wearing the Miami Heat uniform, the hometown hero in James decided to come back to finally fulfill his promise of bringing that elusive sports title to the city of Cleveland – four years after the controversial pullout he took to go to South Beach.
He spearheaded the Cavs to four-consecutive trip to the NBA Finals and gave its first official championship in history behind a marvelous and historic feat – by coming back from 3-1 series deficit to outlast the 73-9 Golden State Warriors in 2016 postseason’s biggest stage.
It was in 2018 that he ultimately decided to part ways by taking his talents to the Los Angeles Lakers. Since then, the team organization took their chances, rebuilt their foundation and has constructed an incredible and unique identity of a Cavs’ brand of basketball never seen for years.
Upon the All-star ascension of Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen, the continuing development of wonder big Evan Mobley, and now the landing of Mitchell, the Cavaliers have entered a new, youthful age of their franchise history – a generation that is set to make a name for themselves without being tagged to James.
Given this successful remodeling they took for years after LeBron’s exit, there’s no doubt that the franchise is very much determined to stand on their own feet.
James remains binded with the Lakers on a long-term vision after that two-year, $97.1 million extension this summer. With a player option for 2024-25 campaign, all signs are still directed on the possibility that he’ll leave to play with his first-born son, Bronny, who is projected to be part of the 2024 Draft class. Still, no one can tell if he has other plans, and an option to enter a new playing chapter in Cleveland can’t even be ruled out on the list of the all-time great.
The future will certainly hold uncertainties, but both sides for now are enjoying moments of their lifetime. As James remains stapled on his basketball and personal endeavors while enjoying a good life in L.A., the Cavaliers are meanwhile fully ecstatic on what lies ahead about their promising centerpieces and contention within the association.
