Cleveland is where it all began for LeBron James, who was recently listed by ESPN as the second-best basketball player to ever play the game behind only Michael Jordan. At this past weekend’s NBA All-Star Weekend, James left Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse with a memory reminiscent of his days in a Cavs jersey by draining the game-winning shot of the All-Star Game. However, his headlines off the court may have had more of a lasting impression.
“I’m back!”… again?
The four-time champion played to the hometown media by claiming that another return to Cleveland wasn’t entirely off the table.
“The door’s not closed on that,” James told The Athletic’s Jason Lloyd. “I’m not saying I’m coming back and playing. I don’t know. I don’t know what my future holds.”
James began his career in Cleveland, leading them to a Finals appearance in his time there before departing for Miami. After winning two titles in four years with Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, and the Heat, he returned to Cleveland a champion and vowed to bring a title to “the land.” James kept his word and eventually moved on to Los Angeles, where he once said he’d like to end his career.
There has been much speculation over the intent behind James’s openness over the weekend. Many media outlets feel it may have something to do with some dissatisfaction with the Lakers’ front-office efforts leading up to the trade deadline. However, he has been known to always keep his options open when the time comes for a decision on his location.
While his statement certainly was no guarantee that he wanted to play in Cleveland for the third time, it was enough to provide a little hope for a final hurrah. Plus, as James let his true long-term intentions be known, it became clear that every team in the league has a chance at him before he retires.
Like son, like father
James has been a hot commodity in each of his three free agencies, and with good reason. The 18-time all-star has been single-handedly changing the trajectory of teams since entering the league as an 18-year-old. While he may not be expected to lift a team to automatic contention the way he used to, there should never be a doubt about the seats he could fill.
It’s quite possible James had this in mind as he made a bold declaration in the same interview with The Athletic.
“My last year will be played with my son,” he said. “Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point.”
LeBron James Jr., more commonly known as Bronny, is currently a junior at Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, Calif. The 6-foot-2-inch combo guard has shown great improvement year to year and is currently ranked No. 34 in the class of 2023 according to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite ranking. If he’s gifted with more of his father’s size over the next year, that ranking could also reach new heights.
The key here, though, is the pressure it puts on an NBA team to prioritize drafting Bronny. If James wishes to play with his son, the earliest this could happen under current NBA rules would be 2024. This assumes Bronny goes one and done. The caveat to this, as mentioned by Chris Broussard on FS1’s First Things First, is that players ranked as low as No. 34 in their class do not typically go one and done.
In a best-case scenario, James would be 39 years old heading into his 22nd season. With this in mind, it seems he very well may have been indirectly lobbying for his son to be drafted higher upon eligibility. His statement was clear; whoever drafts his son would get him as well. That’s pretty high incentive for small-market teams or teams looking for the veteran leadership of one of the best to ever do it.
There has never been a father-son duo in the NBA. Could James and his junior become the Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. of basketball? His current contract will keep him donning purple and gold through the 2022-2023 season. Look for him to sign 1-year contracts thereafter to ensure his freedom when Bronny enters the draft.
