{"id":77415,"date":"2024-05-14T12:11:38","date_gmt":"2024-05-14T16:11:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=77415"},"modified":"2024-05-14T12:11:38","modified_gmt":"2024-05-14T16:11:38","slug":"could-lebron-james-return-to-stomping-grounds-for-final-act","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/05\/14\/could-lebron-james-return-to-stomping-grounds-for-final-act\/","title":{"rendered":"Could LeBron James Return to Stomping Grounds for Final Act?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>For people that don\u2019t believe in coincidences, LeBron James\u2019 appearing on the sidelines during the Cleveland Cavaliers\u2019 throwdown with the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals is a sign in and of itself. However, when factoring in that \u2014of the thousands of pictures that Bronny James must have with him and his mother\u2014 his son chose <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/qshironalberti3\/status\/1790053693829661071\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">to post a photo of himself<\/a> in an Ohio State Buckeyes jersey just the day before, that signs became a green light at the end of the dock.<\/p>\n<p>Like Jay Gatsby longing for the love and innocence of his youth, could James end his storybook career where it all began?<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">LeBron receives a standing ovation from Cavs fans \ud83d\ude4c<\/p>\n<p>King returns to Cleveland \ud83d\udc51 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/1651a3E6MF\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/1651a3E6MF<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BleacherReport\/status\/1790162563822436857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">May 13, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>At 39 years old, James is only expected to play <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/04\/30\/lebron-james-agent-opines-on-how-much-longer-hell-play\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">two or three more seasons<\/a>. He\u2019s already played longer than all but five players in NBA history with 21 years of NBA experience. In 2024-25, he\u2019ll join <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/cartevi01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vince Carter<\/a> as the only two players in NBA history to play 22 seasons.<\/p>\n<p>With that said, the question is where would James would like finish his playing days? To clarify, we\u2019re not talking about a ceremonial one-day signing that allows him to retire wherever he wants. We\u2019re talking about how he wants the final years of his career to be remembered.<\/p>\n<h2>Could LeBron James Return to Stomping Grounds for Final Act?<\/h2>\n<p>Los Angeles Lakers president Jeanie Buss and general manager Rob Pelinka are determined to have James retire in L.A., where he would join a long list of star players to do so.<\/p>\n<p>However, much like his stint with the Miami Heat, James\u2019 tenure in L.A. has had more fluff than substance. Sure, James may have developed deep bonds with a couple of teammates and executives. Nonetheless, James isn\u2019t embraced by the fanbase anymore than he would be on 28 other teams. A championship that he delivers to the organization allows them to add to their trophy case but it doesn\u2019t strum their heartstrings.<\/p>\n<p>That isn\u2019t the case with the Cavs and it never has been.<\/p>\n<h3>Home State Hero<\/h3>\n<p>A home state hero, James is originally from Akron, OH. A quaint town located less than an hour south of Cleveland, Akron is where James became \u2018the Chosen One.\u2019 Starring for a Catholic prep school, St. Vincent-St. Mary, the basketball prodigy led his team to three titles. In that time, he was named <i>Ohio Mr. Basketball<\/i> three times and the Gatorade National Basketball Player of the Year twice.<\/p>\n<p>Leaving high school for the draft, it was all but inevitable he would land with the Cavs. This is largely due to the fact that he was a local legend earning comparisons to the mythical <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jordami01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Michael Jordan<\/a>. However, Cleveland essentially ensured they would be in position to draft James by trading <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/millean02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andre Miller<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/persowe01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Wesley Person<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/murrala01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lamond Murray<\/a> \u2014their three top scorers \u2014before the 2002-03 season. In 2002-03, the Cavs went 17-65, consequently landing the No. 1 pick in the 2003 NBA Draft.<\/p>\n<p>The rest is history.<\/p>\n<h3>Leaving a Legend, Returning with Rings<\/h3>\n<p>James spent his first seven seasons with the Cavs, quickly ascending to superstardom. Winning a <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/05\/12\/did-kobe-bryant-really-deserve-2008-mvp-over-lebron-james\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">pair of MVP awards<\/a> and becoming the franchise\u2019s all-time leading scorer at just 24 years old, he led Cleveland to five straight playoff appearances. While he only had one NBA Finals appearance during this time, he was arguably already an NBA legend.<\/p>\n<p>However, the fanfare heightened the hype surrounding James as much as the pressure. In 2010, a disgruntled James left the Cavs for the Heat, looking to win his first NBA championship. Cavs fans were crushed by his decision, the type of hate that can only manifest for someone that was once beloved.<\/p>\n<p>This was proven when James returned to Cleveland in 2014. In Miami, he may not have accomplished his loftiest goals, but winning two titled in four years is no small feat. Coming back to the Cavs as a champion, James showed Cleveland what he had learned while he was away.<\/p>\n<p>Taking the Cavs to the NBA Finals every season, James became the first player to make eight straight trips to the NBA Finals. He\u2019s the first player in 52 years to accomplish the feat. He\u2019s the only one to do so while playing for multiple teams. In 2016, James also became the first player to come back from down 3-1 in the NBA Finals. That unforgettable feat resulted in Cleveland winning their first championship in franchise history.<\/p>\n<h3>Not Entirely Unexpected<\/h3>\n<p>James earned so much goodwill in his second stint with the Cavs that when he left again in 2018, fans didn\u2019t feel betrayed. They were appreciative. There isn\u2019t a Cavs fan who was around at the time that doesn\u2019t fondly remember how he casually destroyed the Toronto Raptors in the playoffs. His game-changing defense in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals brought tears to their eyes.<\/p>\n<p>James leaving for Miami was a bit like the city\u2019s favorite son going to college. Because of the animosity \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/RTeCc8jy7FI?si=J58fts-c7sweqkoT\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Decision<\/a>\u201d triggered, it didn\u2019t feel like it though. When he flew off to Los Angeles, it was like a small-town kid leaving for a lucrative job in the big city. However, it never really felt like that was where James would retire, even before the Lakers\u2019 Hollywood-level drama.<\/p>\n<p>To that point, a few people are anticipating James\u2019 return to Cleveland.<\/p>\n<h3>What Would a Trade Look Like?<\/h3>\n<p>A deal sending James back to Cleveland could be as simple as sending <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/garlada01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Darius Garland<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/l\/leverca01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Caris LeVert<\/a> to L.A. in exchange for James.<\/p>\n<p>With Garland plateauing (if not regressing), the Cavs would likely be willing to make such a deal. The impact between Garland and James in terms of both scoring impact and leadership is substantial. This isn\u2019t to say Garland isn\u2019t a star-caliber player. He\u2019s just more Steve Nash than Luka Doncic, his slight frame and lack of aggressiveness limiting his offensive upside despite his ball-handling and passing ability. Due to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mitchdo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Donovan Mitchell<\/a>\u2019s own playmaking, Garland\u2019s becomes even more expendable.<\/p>\n<p>L.A. could find use for Garland, especially if they retain star big man <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/davisan02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anthony Davis<\/a>. He doesn\u2019t quite fit Cleveland\u2019s needs at this juncture. On an expiring contract, LeVert may be trying out for a long-term with the Lakers. An x-factor as a jack of all trades with the potential to be a featured scorer, L.A. could start him or bring him off the bench. They could also try to flip him (and perhaps Garland) for another star.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, James will find himself leading a team not unlike the ones he had in Miami. Mitchell has often been compared to his former teammate, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wadedw01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dwyane Wade<\/a>, due to their size and explosiveness. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mobleev01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Evan Mobley<\/a>, more meek than even <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/boshch01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chris Bosh<\/a>, is a versatile big man capable of stretching the floor. Those traits helped the Heat become a powerhouse, with James and Wade taking advantage of the space Bosh provided. Like Bosh too, Mobley is capable of guarding players in the paint or in space. However, he\u2019s even better at both.<\/p>\n<h3>Could the Cavs Draft Bronny?<\/h3>\n<p>Basketball is poetry. What better way is there for James to end his career than with the best of both worlds? Back in the state where it all started. Leading a Big 3 eerily similar to the won he won his first championship with.<\/p>\n<p>The answer: With his son.<\/p>\n<p>With the 20th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Cavs are in prime position to draft Bronny James. After an unexpectedly unsuccessful freshman season at USC, his draft projections were all over the place. However, he was a standout on Day 1 of the Draft Combine.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Bronny James just crushed the 3-point star shooting drill at the NBA draft combine. 19\/25, good for second place. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/50UVXXy3GY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/50UVXXy3GY<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DraftExpress\/status\/1790172336483688868?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">May 14, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Bronny James records the 4th highest max vert with 40.5 inches at the combine. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/3nPhPrqs14\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/3nPhPrqs14<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Krysten Peek (@krystenpeek) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/krystenpeek\/status\/1790155814298083467?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">May 13, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>With teams also <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/esidery\/status\/1790197431604253155\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">considering the financial incentive<\/a> of drafting him, Cleveland is a natural landing spot.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For people that don\u2019t believe in coincidences, LeBron James\u2019 appearing on the sidelines during the Cleveland Cavaliers\u2019 throwdown with the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals is a sign in and of itself. However, when factoring in that \u2014of the thousands of pictures that Bronny James must have with him and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5008,"featured_media":77426,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9,1608,26,16,62,556],"tags":[4572,38,297,4557],"class_list":["post-77415","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cavaliers","category-basketball","category-lakers","category-heat","category-nba","category-nba-draft","tag-bronny-james","tag-lebron-james","tag-nba-free-agency","tag-nba-offseason"],"modified_by":"Quenton S Albertie","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77415","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5008"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77415"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77415\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/77426"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77415"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=77415"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=77415"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}