Ed Szczepanski – USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Cavaliers fans my despise LeBron James right now, but if he would really come back to Cleveland in 2014, most would welcome him back with open arms.
The Akron Beacon Journal reported recently that the Cavaliers may be positioning themselves to have the ability to sign James when he has the option to become a free agent in 2014. This would be a huge turn of events for James and the Cavaliers, and it would probably be a good move for both.
Cavaliers fans were rightly upset when James left town to play for the Miami Heat, in 2010, and many swore to never cheer for James again. Many also swore other items that can’t be printed here, and it’s safe to assume that most people in Cleveland had very little love or respect left for “The King.”
But as much as fans may not like James now, they adored him during his time playing for the Cavaliers. James turned the Cavaliers into title contenders, and gave the city its best hope of winning a championship in any sport in a long time.
James was the best player on the Cavaliers during his time in Cleveland, and in his two-plus seasons in Miami, he has only become a better and more complete player.
If the Cleveland front office can keep Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters and the other young players in the fold, while also bringing in a few other players, they would have a great nucleus to put with James in 2014. Irving is already a spectacular player and in 2014 he may be the best point guard in the NBA.
The Cavaliers would obviously benefit by having James on the team, but he might also benefit by being able to play with a great young player like Irving, along with other solid players on the team. The move could also repair his damaged reputation and turn him into an even bigger star if he can bring a championship to Cleveland.
Some Cavaliers fans may not like James at first if he comes back to Cleveland, but they would warm up to him in time, especially if the team is winning.
Even though “The Decision” was a terrible misjudgment by James and his advisers, James is a very smart and savvy guy who can win back fans. He has a great personality and he obviously loves his hometown of Akron and northeast Ohio, even if it didn’t look like it when he took his talents to South Beach.
If James really does become a free agent in 2014, chances are that just about every team in the league will make a run at signing him, and the Los Angeles Lakers will be out in front. The Cavaliers will have stiff competition to sign James, and they will have to show him that they can be winners if he comes back.
It would be a bold move for the Cavaliers to sign James, and it would be an incredible turn of events. And for James and the Cavaliers, it would be the best move possible.
