It’s understood if you took the holiday weekend off of LeBron Watch.
Unfortunately, the latest seems to suggest James could be nearing a reunion with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst seemingly confirmed that the Cavs are the favorites on Pardon My Take Monday.
“I can’t take that off the table,” Windhorst said when asked about the idea of ending a championship drought in Philly being alluring to James.
Longtime NBA Insider Marc Stein’s opinion was slightly different.
So, the Sixers are still in it, but how much optimism you want to have is up to you.
Over the weekend, James was photographed after playing a round of golf with Cavs assistant GM Brandon Weems and friends in Akron. It’s worth noting that LeBron frequently goes back to his hometown in the offseason and Weems is one of his best friends.
Again, you choose to read those tealeaves however you’d like.
If he ultimately chooses Cleveland, it truly feels sentimentality-based. From a basketball standpoint, James would likely be tasked with guarding the opponent’s top perimeter threat every night while sharing the floor with Donovan Mitchell and old friend James Harden. Harden’s heliocentric nature also feels like a clunky fit with LeBron offensively.
Meanwhile, the Sixers and Timberwolves might present his best chance to win. He’d slide in at the power forward on either roster and immediately make them a legitimate contender in their respective conference. The Golden State Warriors are also still in the mix, but it seems like that might be contingent on them acquiring Anthony Davis from the Washington Wizards, something that doesn’t seem likely as of now.
A reunion with the Miami Heat — and partnering up with Giannis Antetokounmpo — also can’t be ruled out. Nor can the idea of James playing alongside Nikola Jokic with the Denver Nuggets.
As the moratorium ends and deals are officially announced this afternoon, we await LeBron’s decision. Only fitting for The King to take over one more NBA offseason before he hangs it up.
