LeBron James has left franchises twice for dead already. He did it to Cleveland after his first stint. He did it again to Miami with Wade and Bosh on the decline.
Both times, LeBron made what looked like the best basketball decision. He went from a low sad cast in Cleveland to form a super team with the Heat, and went to four-straight finals. He went back to Cleveland when Kyrie Irving plus cap room and No. 1 overall pick looked like a stronger option moving forward.
LeBron did not entirely trust Cleveland to get it right. Instead of signing a long-term deal. He has committed to Cleveland, on basically a year-to-year basis, giving him leverage and a potential out.
The Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry have emerged, and changed every superstar’s calculation process as far as winning an NBA title. LeBron is a physical beast at 31, but he will be entering his 14th NBA season next year. He can’t carry a team for that much longer.
Would restructuring Cleveland really give him the best chance to win an NBA title in 2017? LeBron bought a $21 million house in Los Angeles, signed a deal with Warner Bros, and the Lakers have a lot of cap room. I bet Laker fans are excited to hear that!
The Cleveland Cavaliers have lost three of their last six games but they still comfortably have the best record in the Eastern Conference. There are some that think the Miami Heat can challenge the Cavaliers to win the East but that is counting upon Chris Bosh getting back on the court. For the most part many people still expect Cleveland in the finals. When and if James and the Cleveland Cavaliers get to the finals, nobody expects them to win whether they face the Warriors or the Spurs. That is likely what is running through LeBron James’ mind as he is set to enter free agency yet again. The Cavaliers are a very good team but their peak may just be making it to the finals and then losing to a better Western Conference foe, which is unacceptable to the King.
LeBron James’ recent actions seem to suggest he is thinking and toying with the idea of leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers in free agency again. The Cavs are confident he won’t but they recognize it is at least possible.
