Stephen A. Smith: "James back to Cavs better than 50% chance"

[Donoghus]

Who says LeBron is hated in Cleveland? They've been campaigning for his return for a while now. Of course they "hate" him for leaving, but they'd take him back in a nano-second without any second thought to it.

Exactly.

He's the best player on the planet and time helps heal wounds.

[CelticG1]

I'm dying for another decision!!!

[manl_lui]

Who says LeBron is hated in Cleveland? They've been campaigning for his return for a while now. Of course they "hate" him for leaving, but they'd take him back in a nano-second without any second thought to it.

this is also true, you cannot say no to the best player in the world/market

he may have burned bridges, but there isn't a single organization that doesn't want Lebron if they have the cap room to sign him. If say Lebron is a FA, and all 30 teams have cap space, EVERY team will want him.

[Moranis]

I've been saying since he left he would retire in Cleveland, I just think he opts in to his contract in Miami and then goes back to Cleveland in 2016 (after the run is Miami has run its course). 

[PhoSita]

Nonsense.  James is in a good situation with a proven winning group that has more championship experience now than any other group in the league other than the Spurs.

He'd be an idiot to leave Miami.

[pearljammer10]

I just dont see Lebron leaving Miami. Dinasty in the making, living in Miami, contending year after year without a rebuild.

[obnoxiousmime]

He was right about "The Decision pt. 1" so you have to listen when Screamin' A. speaks regarding LeBron James. I'm surprised because I thought the way Cleveland has pooped the bed this year there was no chance LeBron was even considering it anymore.

I still think it would be really difficult for LeBron to pass up a chance at a four-peat if the Heat win this year. Still, he's a smart guy and he knows trading Wade for Irving is the smarter long-term move.

I'd be curious to know how the Cavs would find a third star if they do sign James. They would have to renounce all their free agents I'm assuming, which means they can't sign-and-trade Deng. Ugh, if only they had taken Oladipo instead of Bennett.

[BballTim]

He'd be an idiot to leave Miami.

  That comment puts it in the "definitely maybe" category.

[PhoSita]

He'd be an idiot to leave Miami.

  That comment puts it in the "definitely maybe" category.

Okay, that's fair.

[nickagneta]

Remember all the "Bring back 'Toine" thread a few years back here at CB?

Imagine how many "Bring back 'Bron" threads there are over at the Cavs SBNation blog?

[hpantazo]

If the part about having no interest in going to LA is true then Lebron totally moved upon my list of players that I respect.

[D.o.s.]

Yeah I don't buy this at all. Sorry Stephen A.

Why would Lebron go back to a city that has hated him, burned his jerseys, and doesn't have anything great about their city? Terrible FA agent destination, and not much of a bright future. If the Cavs had drafted Drummond, then Kyrie, I can see LBJ going back there. But at this point, what would benefit him going there?

Personal redemption.

LBJ returns to Ohio after burning the organization he started with.  Brings them a championship.

That's one helluva storyline.

Yeah, but "LBJ can't win in Cleveland, runs off to the beach with 2 HOFers, wins 2-3 rings, then comes back to Cleveland and again can't win" is a helluva storyline that LeBron would want no part of. 

And I can't imagine things are copacetic between LeBron and Gilbert.  Just doesn't seem likely to me.

WHY? Are you saying Dan Gilbert can't forgive and forget??

That. Was. Gold.

[saltlover]

I think this rumor loses any credibility by New York being included, unless LeBron explicitly doesn't want to play with Melo.  They have negative cap room, and don't have enough assets to trade for Rondo much less LeBron.

[AB_Celtic]

This is an extremely noncommittal statement by Stephen A. He's essentially saying there's a 51% chance Lebron goes back to Cleveland, and if SAS is wrong it's no big deal. I wouldn't look into it at all.

[Endless Paradise]

I don't think he'll leave, but I don't think it's anywhere near as impossible that he'd return to Cleveland as some of you seem to believe.  Gilbert has since apologized for his rant (as has LeBron for The Decision) and LeBron's made no secret of the fact that he's been observing what's going on with the Cavaliers since his departure.   He even gave a shoutout to Kyrie and a few of the other players on the team on Twitter a few months ago during one of their games.  He's slowly but surely making amends with many people in Ohio, both in Akron and Cleveland.

I think he really appreciates what he has in Miami, but I also feel like he's still a bit remorseful about what he did and would love an opportunity to do right (in his eyes).  As long as he feels like the organization is heading in the right direction by the end of the year, I definitely think he'll consider a return to Cleveland.  Ultimately, I think he'll stay with Miami, but if he leaves, I only see him going to Cleveland - not LA, not Chicago, not NY, etc.