Cleveland Cavaliers fans are still hoping that LeBron James will return to his hometown and help the franchise win its first NBA title, but recent reports suggested that mulled reunion is highly unlikely.
James have been dodging questions about free agency, but it is widely believed that the superstar forward will definitely consider returning to where his career started after the Cavs acquired promising prospects in Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson, and Dion Waiters from the draft.
However, the prospect-laden team has yet to produce good results, which might discourage James from signing with the Cavs.
Sources said that James was previously strongly considering playing in front of Cleveland fans again, but the reigning Most Valuable Player has been cold to the idea after witnessing the Cavaliers struggle again this season.
"The Cavs had hoped to persuade James to rejoin their organization. That notion has dimmed considerably," the News-Herald noted. "Even though James would instantly make the Cavs a contender, why would he want to join a team 10-game-under .500 at this stage of his career? The answer is he probably wouldn't."
At this point, nothing is set in stone as far as his current contract status because the four-time MVP can actually opt to stay in Miami for another year. NBA analyst are convinced that James will not bolt out of South Beach if the Heat win it all again this season.
"It's all going to be dependent on what they do in the postseason," said NBA analyst Greg Anthony when asked about James future in Miami. "If they win a championship, it's a moot point. If they don't win a championship, that's where the concern starts. The Big Three have been through these bumps in the regular season before, but when you get to the postseason and you don't get it done, that's another animal."
However, it should be noted that the championship window is slowly closing for the Heat due to nagging injuries to key players, particularly Dwyane Wade.
Wade has been in and out of the lineup of the Heat all-season long due to his ailing knee, which could affect their chances of scoring a three-peat this season.
With his future with the Heat in doubt, do you think LeBron James will make a Cleveland homecoming next season?
How about a change of scenery from Miami to the Chicago Bulls, who are expected to push hard for James next summer?
