It soon could be déjà vu all over again in Cleveland.
While the new-look Cavaliers look primed for an NBA Finals run this season, it very well could be LeBron James’ last go-around in his hometown. James is eligible to become a free agent at season’s end, and the majority of the basketball world seems to believe the star forward will depart “The Land.”
This, of course, wouldn’t be the first time James moved on from the Cavs. After playing the first seven seasons of his NBA career in Cleveland, James jumped ship to join the Miami Heat following the 2009-10 campaign. Fans will remember Cleveland’s violent reaction to James leaving, as well as Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert’s scathing remarks toward LeBron.
Fast forward nearly a decade, and Gilbert once again might be forced to watch the greatest player in franchise history seek greener pastures. In fact, according to one report, Cleveland’s owner could be the driving force that sends James out of town.
In a lengthy column, Bleacher Report’s Howard Beck detailed the “fractured” relationship between James and Gilbert, reporting that there’s a power struggle between the two men who both want to “be in charge of everything.” A league source also told Beck that Gilbert might not treat James like a king this summer in hopes of keeping him in Cleveland.
“Dan Gilbert’s not going to do what it takes to keep him,” the same source told Beck. “Not a chance in hell he’s going to give him a no-trade clause, or let him dictate contract terms.”
Failing to retain James likely would signal a rebuild for the Cavs, who have a dearth of superstar talent outside of James. Kevin Love still would be in the mix, but a James-less Cleveland team seemingly wouldn’t have much of a chance to be among the Eastern Conference’s best.
James surely will be courted like no other this summer, and it would behoove Gilbert to join the party.
