The NBA star, 41, previously played for the Cavs for two stints over 11 seasons
Is LeBron James thinking about taking his talents back to The Land?
Amid ongoing speculation about his future in the league, the NBA star, 41, liked an Instagram Stories post on Wednesday, May 20 in which a Cleveland Cavaliers fan account implored him to “Come home.”
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In the picture, James sports a Cavs jersey from his playing days near his hometown alongside the pleading caption.
Despite James liking the post, Cleveland would have to do some financial calisthenics to lure the Los Angeles Lakers legend back for his third stint with the team.
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If he opted to play his 24th season with the Cavs, James would likely have to take a pay cut — something he has previously shared that he would not necessarily be open to.
What James is interested in is playing on a team that will win.
Riddled by injuries and mired by a lack of defense, the Lakers and their title hopes came into sharp focus following their 4-0 series loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the playoffs earlier this month.
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“You want to be excited about going to work everyday,” James told his Mind The Game podcast cohost Steve Nash on Thursday, May 21. “You want to be excited about, you know, like I said earlier, winning the day. And being around a group of guys that, you know, feel the same way and trying not to take steps backwards. You know, understand a season is a long marathon and whatever the case may be.”
The Cavs — who blew a 22 point lead in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks on Tuesday, May 19 — are looking to even the series in Game 2 on Thursday.
For James, who played for the Cavaliers from 2003-2010 and 2014-2018, a return to Ohio would tie a bow on his Hall of Fame career. Still, he says, winning a championship is most top of mind.
“Those building blocks throughout the course of the season is what matters to when you get to the sprint, which is now, you know, the postseason,” he told Nash. “So, yeah I’m not going anywhere it’s a start over at year 24 or things of that nature.”
