For years, Cleveland Cavaliers fans have fantasized about another LeBron James homecoming. He's extended his career longer than most people anticipated, but it's always felt like a return to Cleveland was in the cards.
Of course, the Cavs' front office hasn't built the team around that possibility. They haven't saved cap space or financial flexibility to make sure everything revolves around James' free agency, which wouldn't be fair or responsible to their current stars.
However, that may end up costing them a fair shot at the greatest player in franchise history, according to ESPN insider Brian Windhorst. Talking to Aaron Goldhammer on ESPN Cleveland radio, he claimed that James just won't play for a veteran's minimum contract.
LeBron James may not take a pay cut to return to Cleveland
"The Cavs don't have a functional way to sign him right now, unless it's for a minimum contract," Windhorst said. "... I don't think it should just be assumed that he's gonna wanna do that. So, the LeBron to Cleveland idea/dream, I'm not seeing that at the top of the probability list."
Windhorst argued that the Cavs would have to 'materially change' the roster to make room for LeBron and his potentially gargantuan deal. James, he said, has played for the maximimum for nearly two decades, so he may not want to make such a huge financial sacrifice.
While that makes perfect sense, James is a billionaire. According to Spotrac, he's made $581 million in NBA salary alone. Money shouldn't be an issue if he truly wants to return to Cleveland, and it shouldn't be what drives him to another franchise, at least on paper.
Of course, that's life-changing money for most people; it's not pocket change. However, that shouldn't be at the top of James' priority list at this point in his career, and joining a fourth franchise may only hurt his legacy, which seems to be the most important thing for him at this moment.
The Cavaliers should be one of the teams to beat in the Eastern Conference as well next season. He's going to have a better shot at a dream-like sending off with an NBA championship. And just like what happened the first time he returned, chances are that multiple free agents will be lining up to team up with him in what might be his final season in pro basketball. It makes the most sense, regardless of what the books say.