3 free agents Cavs can sign to a max contract in 2023
3 free agents Cavs can sign to a max contract in 2023: LeBron James
Speaking of the Cavs and championships, only one player in franchise history has ever led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a title (Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love were the supporting cast, to be sure). The greatest player in Cavaliers history and possibly league history will likely be a free agent again next summer, and he is no stranger to moving around the league or returning to a former team.
LeBron James successfully won a title in Los Angeles with the Lakers, and certainly contention was not his only motivation for taking his talents to Malibu Beach. Yet LeBron and the Lakers have been nowhere near contention the last two seasons, and it doesn’t look like this year will be rescued either. If James wants to keep chasing Michael Jordan and try to add another ring, it’s increasingly unlikely that will happen in Los Angeles.
It’s very possible it could happen in Cleveland, if he joins up next summer and if he maintains a high level of play. With the defensive infrastructure behind him to make up for his slipping defense, James could once again pair with an All-Star point guard in Garland and have the support he needs to compete for another title without having to carry a team on his back anymore.
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Most likely, Andrew Wiggins and Khris Middleton will re-sign with their current teams. Keeping the cap space open to pursue them might be worth it, but it’s not a high-probability bet. A LeBron return? That has legs, and the Cavs would do well to try and sound that out as best they can before mortgaging that space. In the right context and in the right role, one last run with The King could be worth it for everyone.