The LeBron James sweepstakes have become the biggest story of the NBA offseason, and multiple teams are in pursuit. Even at 41 years old, the King remains a high-value free agent, but he’s in no rush to decide where he’ll play next.
Still, depending on where you look, there may already be some hints at which way he’s leaning. On Instagram this week, for instance, one Ohio bakery owner went viral for claiming that LeBron is not only heading to the Cavaliers, but also taking both Bronny James and Draymond Green with him.
“Hey guys. I’ve got it on good authority that LeBron is not only coming back to Cleveland, but he’s bringing Bronny and Draymond with him,” wrote ‘pokefreshohio’ on Instagram. “If you don’t believe me, you can Google “Caroline’s Cupcakes + LeBron’ to check my credentials. This ain’t my first rodeo.”
People make claims all the time, so why does this one hold any weight? The answer goes back to LeBron’s first return to the Cavaliers in 2014. Somehow, they were the first ones to report his homecoming, beating major sports pundits and professional insiders to the story. It’s unclear how they got the scoop, but it’s possible someone who works at the bakery has a connection to LeBron’s inner circle.
What’s important now is their latest claim on the James saga. Across the league, people fully expect the Cavaliers to land LeBron, especially given their storied history together. With a strong roster, fresh off an appearance in the Conference Finals, the Cavs can offer the King everything he’s looking for in his final NBA stop.
Of course, his son, Bronny, also makes a lot of sense for the Cavs, and they’ve reportedly been saving some room to potentially acquire him from the Lakers in a sign-and-trade deal. This would allow LeBron to play with his son until the end, ensuring maximum happiness for whatever time he has left.
The most surprising claim here is the Draymond Green bit. The Warriors veteran is currently a free agent, and it’s believed he only opted out to give the Warriors a chance to sign LeBron. It’s possible, however, that he could follow King James to the Cavs if they make the space financially for his arrival.
Assuming Cleveland would keep Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, and Evan Mobley, the addition of LeBron and Draymond could make them the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. At the very least, they would be a much safer bet in the playoffs, with two bona fide champions leading the charge.
Ultimately, the question for the Cavaliers is whether it’s worth it to break up their frontcourt for two players who are past their prime. We know they will welcome LeBron and his son with open arms, but they’ll have to part with either James Harden or Jarrett Allen to make room for Green, who averaged just 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game last season.
To be frank, it’s a long shot that the Cavaliers will add both LeBron and Draymond to the roster, but stranger things have happened. In a league with so much movement and player empowerment, the possibilities are endless, and it’s impossible to predict what might happen next.
