Paul Pierce thinks LeBron James should be open to a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers should the Los Angeles Lakers have a disastrous end to the season. While discussing Bronny James' future on Undisputed, Pierce stated that if the Lakers fail to even make the playoffs, LeBron should head to Cleveland and play with Bronny.
"Then if they flame out and lose in the Play-In, I would consider, if I was LeBron, being traded back to Cleveland for Donovan Mitchell," Pierce said. "Donovan Mitchell doesn't want to be there because we're not seeing signs of him wanting to re-sign. So, Bronny gets picked up by Cleveland, and Bron has his farewell tour with his son right there, in that last year. I can see a possible scenario like that happen."
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That's quite a proposition from Pierce, but I am not sure if I see LeBron wanting to go back to the Cavaliers. While James wants to play with Bronny, the 39-year-old still wants to compete for championships.
I don't think the Cavaliers would be serious contenders, even with him being swapped in for Donovan Mitchell. While Darius Garland and Evan Mobley are fine young players, neither is a superstar like Anthony Davis. LeBron, at this point, needs someone of that caliber next to him to win.
Now, if LeBron declines his player option worth $51.4 million for 2024-25 and signs with the Cavaliers at a bargain basement price, then they would be a serious contender, as Mitchell would still be there. The issue, however, is that James has shown no indication of being willing to take a pay cut, so that avenue doesn't exist.
Getting back to the Lakers, it might not be a terrible idea for LeBron to stay with them even if this campaign ends poorly. The reason is that they have the assets to make a trade for another star this offseason. I don't think there are too many other teams that James could end up on where he would be a part of a Big Three.
Also, Rachel Nichols stated that the Lakers would draft Bronny if LeBron wanted to play with him. So, if the 20-time All-Star can potentially compete for titles and have his son be drafted by the team, I don't see a reason for him to want to leave.
Donovan Mitchell Looks Likely To Leave The Cavaliers
As for Pierce's point about Mitchell not wanting to re-sign with the Cavaliers, all signs do seem to be pointing to that. The five-time All-Star is eligible to sign an extension this offseason but isn't likely to do so. As per a report, the Cavaliers will lose Mitchell unless they make an improbable run to the NBA Finals this season.
“The buzz in NBA circles suggests that barring a run to the NBA Finals,” wrote Pincus. “Mitchell will decline an extension and look elsewhere, and the Cavaliers are more likely than not to move him well before he can leave outright as a free agent.”
The Cavaliers are almost certainly not going to the NBA Finals this season. They are currently fifth in the East with a 46-33 record and seem at risk of being knocked out in the first round itself. As Mitchell could leave for nothing in free agency in 2025, it would be in the Cavaliers' best interest to part ways in the offseason and get something in return.
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