Channing Frye has 1 wish for LeBron James in retirement year

As expected, LeBron James received an adoring welcome from the 19,000+ who were in attendance and had witnessed the greatness of LeBron during the eleven years he spent playing in The Land. And surely, nearly all 19,000+ who were packed inside of Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Monday night would be overjoyed to be able to watch LeBron James as a Cavalier for one more run.

Could LeBron come home again? 

The short answer to that question is Yes, LeBron James could absolutely decide to come home and play for the Cleveland Cavaliers again. And he could do so as soon as the beginning of July, when free agency begins. 

The longer answer is slightly more complex, simply because there are so many variables in play.

In the most straight-forward scenario — if coming back to Cleveland and making a run at one more title were LeBron’s #1 priority this summer — he could sign a deal well below the max and join a Cavaliers team that has won 99 games over the last two seasons. Adding LeBron to this existing core of the Cavaliers would immediately make Cleveland among the legitimate favorites in the Eastern Conference, even as they’re about to get bounced out of the 2nd Round in five games against the Boston Celtics.

Although the Cavs only own the #20 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, they could easily trade into the 2nd Round and select LeBron’s son, Bronny James, in order to sweeten the deal even more. But that scenario remains unlikely for two reasons: NBA scouts aren’t necessarily sold on Bronny James’ pro potential, plus, LeBron James shouldn’t have to and likely wouldn’t take a substantial pay-cut no matter where he goes, even if it meant playing with his son in Northeast Ohio.

Of course, there is the possibility that a sign-and-trade could be worked out, which gives LeBron James the opportunity to sign one more max deal while also affording the Lakers the opportunity to recoup some assets when LeBron decides to leave. But with Donovan Mitchell’s potential Cleveland exit looming, the notion of the Cavs making the necessary moves to put themselves in position to bring LeBron James home again feels like a pipe dream more than it does a likely outcome. The unfortunately reality is that it’s overwhelmingly likely LeBron will remain a Laker for the foreseeable future and probably even end his career in LA.

But if LeBron James taught the people of Cleveland anything, it’s that it’s okay to believe. It’s okay to have hope. So Cleveland, keeping on believing that LeBron James will return to The Land for one last ride. Channing Frye and I will be right there with you with our fingers crossed.