LeBron James returned to Cleveland on Wednesday to lead the LA Lakers against the Cavaliers. The Akron, Ohio native, who led the Cavs to their only championship in 2016, received a brief video tribute early in the first quarter. James soaked in the moment on the bench and tried to hold back tears as the fans gave him a standing ovation.
Fans reacted to the viral moment. One fan tweeted:
“Going to where it all started always brings tears.”
Another fan added:
“A moment of pure, earned respect.”
One more fan continued:
“He knows it might be the last time.”
Another fan reacted:
“I have a feeling he goes there for his last season. I’ll support him regardless.”
One fan wrote:
“Seeing LeBron in tears in Cleveland is truly heartbreaking. It feels like the close of a meaningful chapter in basketball history.”
LeBron James entered the NBA in 20023 as the Cavaliers’ No. 1 pick. He left the team in the summer of 2010, announcing his move to South Beach, which left the fan base in disarray. James returned in 2014 to finish what he vowed to give the city and the franchise.
Two years after returning to Cleveland, he carried the Cavaliers to a historic 4-3 win over the Golden State Warriors. James’ team rallied from a 1-3 deficit in the 2016 NBA Finals to lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Now in the twilight of his career, many are urging James to return to the place where his basketball career started. For many, playing for the Cavs again would be a full circle moment for him and a fitting end to an all-time great career.
If the four-time MVP decides to retire after this season, Wednesday will be his last game in Cleveland.
Trading for LeBron James is near impossible for Cleveland Cavaliers
A reunion between LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers is near impossible this season. The four-time NBA Finals MVP has a no-trade clause in his contract, so he has to agree to move to Cleveland first.
Just as important, the Cavaliers are a second-apron team, which limits their flexibility to make trades. Cleveland can’t aggregate salaries to match James’ $52.6 million contract. The Cavs, which have Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell ($46.3 million) as their highest earners, also can’t take in more salary than they send out in a trade swap.
The Cavaliers could rope in other teams to complete the deal, but they will likely lose one of Mobley, Mitchell and Darius Garland ($39.6 million). Cleveland is relying on its young core to have another shot at the championship. It is very unlikely the Cavs will trade one or two of their Big 3 to reunite with LeBron James.
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