NBA insider says LeBron James is ‘likely coming back’ to Lakers

The Cleveland Cavaliers are looking for ways to improve their roster after being swept in the Eastern Conference Finals by the eventual champion New York Knicks. One of the players that could provide an instant upgrade for the Cavs would be 41-year-old free agent LeBron James, who’s still playing at an All-Star level.

However, a third stint in Cleveland doesn’t seem to be on the horizon. All signs point to James re-signing with the Los Angeles Lakers.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on Tuesday that James’s “focus now is making a deal with the Lakers.”

ESPN’s Marc Spears echoed something similar on Wednesday, saying that James is “likely coming back” to Los Angeles. Spears also added that former Cavalier Kevin Love “could likely be joining the Lakers too.”

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Bringing James back to Cleveland would’ve been tricky. They’re currently over the second apron and wouldn’t be able to bring him back on anything above a veteran minimum contract. However, if there is interest on both sides, it would be possible to make something work.

As of now, the Cavs haven’t shed the salary they would need to make a reunion with James possible. Trading role players like Dennis Schroder or Max Strus (who will be entering the last year of his contract) would be the first steps if you wanted to clear salary space for a possible James reunion. At the same time, trading either or both players may be in the best interest of the team anyway, given their cap situation.

Things can change quickly in the NBA. But as of now, it seems like James won’t be coming back to save the Cavs for a third time.

James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds on .515/.317/.737 shooting splits in 60 games last regular season. In the playoffs, James produced 23.2 points, 7.3 assists, and 6.7 rebounds on .458/.327/.746 shooting splits for a shorthanded Lakers team that was missing Luka Doncic in the postseason.