[BajeebzParticipant]

I was listening to ESPN’s First Take podcast today, and Stephen A. Smith said that there’s a better chance that LeBron will return to Cleveland this offseason than there is of him returning to the Heat. He cited Dwyane Wade’s long term health as a deciding factor. He’s also said on numerous occasions that Wade is LeBron’s number one bro, and that he’d follow him to another team. I know it’s First Take, which is more entertainment than news, but it got me thinking: What would it take to get LeBron back to Cleveland?

I did a little surfin’ and found out that Cleveland before tonight’s game is 13-24 this season, 3-7 in their last ten, and they have (-5.7) point differential, good for 6th worst in the NBA. That said, they’re only 2 games out of the playoffs. After this season they’re only on the books for $32 million. They have to decide whether to pick up Varejao ($9.8mil), and they also need to figure out what to do with Deng, who said he’s open to talking extension, but also understands the appeal of waiting on LeBron.

The Cavs were recently blown out by 44 against the Kings. Now, they’re limiting Deng’s minutes. Here’s my question: If they continue to lose, and end up with a top five pick, WHICH PROSPECT DO YOU THINK WOULD BE THE MOST ALLURING TO LEBRON?

I think Embiid would be great fit. They could turn down the option on Varejao, sign LeBron, and probably have room to re-sign Deng and play LeBron at the PF. Another option would be to let Deng go, play LeBron at the three, and bring in DWade at a discount at the SG (If what Stephen A. said is true)

Like I said this is all hypothetical. What are YOUR thoughts???

Anyway here are the lineups with both options, provided they land Embiid and LeBron (Big Ifs):

Deng Option– Irving, Waiters, Deng, James, Embiid (Jack, Thompson, Zeller, Karasev, Bennett)

Wade Option–Irving, Wade, James, Thompson, Embiid (Jack, Waiters, Zeller, Karasev, Bennett)

WOULD LEBRON BE BETTER OFF JUST STAYING IN MIAMI???

[phila9012Participant]

 Everytime I want to think LeBron will go to the cavs, who are probably the best fit for him. I remember that their front office sucks and has made so many mistakes and Mike Brown’s offense is crap compared to what Spolstra has the Heat running this year. The Heat are using Lebron in an effcient way, if bosh and wade take about $10 million the heat could try to bring in another big man or any player to help them. I think the Heat have 2 more years after this year until their window starts closing for another 2 or 3 years if they keep it together.

[phila9012Participant]

 Everytime I want to think LeBron will go to the cavs, who are probably the best fit for him. I remember that their front office sucks and has made so many mistakes and Mike Brown’s offense is crap compared to what Spolstra has the Heat running this year. The Heat are using Lebron in an effcient way, if bosh and wade take about $10 million the heat could try to bring in another big man or any player to help them. I think the Heat have 2 more years after this year until their window starts closing for another 2 or 3 years if they keep it together.

[ChewyParticipant]

 1. The Cavs are strongest in the position Lebron needs the least, point guard. Lebron has shown that he can easily bring the ball up and handle ball handling responsibilities. The best PG to pair up with him are D Fish types who play great defense and hit open 3’s.

2. Wade signing in Miami for 10 mil is possible, but Deng staying in Cleveland for anything less than 14 mil simply isn’t happening. He is looking for possible his last big pay day.

3. Gilbert and Brown are terrible which Phila already stated. Riley has proven that he is a good evaluator of talent and is in an organization that is willing to spend the money.

4. Miami weather and nightlife > Cleveland weather and nightlife.

5. Those line ups look great, but there is no way they can keep all of these Cleveland guys coming off their rookie contract with two huge ones in LBJ/Deng/Irving or LBJ/Wade/Irving.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

The only way I see Wade going to Cleveland is in a sign/trade with Deng and Waiters.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

The only way I see Wade going to Cleveland is in a sign/trade with Deng and Waiters.

[ChewyParticipant]

 1. The Cavs are strongest in the position Lebron needs the least, point guard. Lebron has shown that he can easily bring the ball up and handle ball handling responsibilities. The best PG to pair up with him are D Fish types who play great defense and hit open 3’s.

2. Wade signing in Miami for 10 mil is possible, but Deng staying in Cleveland for anything less than 14 mil simply isn’t happening. He is looking for possible his last big pay day.

3. Gilbert and Brown are terrible which Phila already stated. Riley has proven that he is a good evaluator of talent and is in an organization that is willing to spend the money.

4. Miami weather and nightlife > Cleveland weather and nightlife.

5. Those line ups look great, but there is no way they can keep all of these Cleveland guys coming off their rookie contract with two huge ones in LBJ/Deng/Irving or LBJ/Wade/Irving.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

The only way the Cavs are getting LeBron is if they fire Mike Brown and somehow snag Spoelstra.  And that’s not happening.

LeBron will stay in Miami and as Wade’s health declines, they’ll sign him and Bosh to smaller contracts.  They’ll rebuild the same way the Lakers/Spurs rebuild, by reloading.

Now, if by some miracle, LeBron goes back to Cleveland…

I think they’ll decline the team option on Varejao, Clark, and Gee.  Draft Joel Embiid.  Then they’ll sign LeBron for whatever’s left on the cap and sign Varejao for the MLE.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

The only way the Cavs are getting LeBron is if they fire Mike Brown and somehow snag Spoelstra.  And that’s not happening.

LeBron will stay in Miami and as Wade’s health declines, they’ll sign him and Bosh to smaller contracts.  They’ll rebuild the same way the Lakers/Spurs rebuild, by reloading.

Now, if by some miracle, LeBron goes back to Cleveland…

I think they’ll decline the team option on Varejao, Clark, and Gee.  Draft Joel Embiid.  Then they’ll sign LeBron for whatever’s left on the cap and sign Varejao for the MLE.

[Sewok15Participant]

Embiid is going top 3 for sure and Cleveland won’t be picking until 5th at the earliest (unless somehow they move up again). I would look more at a SG that fits better next Kyrie than Waiters does and look to deal him like they apparently are already. Somebody who can play off the ball better like James Young or Zach LaVine would be a better fit with better defensive potential as well. They are great athletes who can stretch the floor.

As for getting LeBron back I just don’t see it. Miami will have money to bring in people of their own possibly if Bosh decides to move on and Wade takes a discount to return. If the Heat win their 3rd title in a row why wouldn’t LeBron want to stay their and do something MJ and Kobe never did…win 4 straight titles.

[Sewok15Participant]

Embiid is going top 3 for sure and Cleveland won’t be picking until 5th at the earliest (unless somehow they move up again). I would look more at a SG that fits better next Kyrie than Waiters does and look to deal him like they apparently are already. Somebody who can play off the ball better like James Young or Zach LaVine would be a better fit with better defensive potential as well. They are great athletes who can stretch the floor.

As for getting LeBron back I just don’t see it. Miami will have money to bring in people of their own possibly if Bosh decides to move on and Wade takes a discount to return. If the Heat win their 3rd title in a row why wouldn’t LeBron want to stay their and do something MJ and Kobe never did…win 4 straight titles.

[TyroberParticipant]

 It’s nice to think about, but I cannot see LeBron leaving Miami just yet. I’d like to see him finish his career back in Cleveland, but there is still plenty of time for that. He is still only 29 years old and after his next contract he should be around 34 and maybe we can really talk about it then, but it just doesn’t make any sense for him to do it now. 

[TyroberParticipant]

 It’s nice to think about, but I cannot see LeBron leaving Miami just yet. I’d like to see him finish his career back in Cleveland, but there is still plenty of time for that. He is still only 29 years old and after his next contract he should be around 34 and maybe we can really talk about it then, but it just doesn’t make any sense for him to do it now. 

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

I think the 2012 and 2013 draft blew any chance of Lebron going back to Cleveland. Cavs won’t have a high enough pick in 2014 for it to make much of a difference to Lebron. Doubtful Lebron’s decision will depend on a rookie.

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

I think the 2012 and 2013 draft blew any chance of Lebron going back to Cleveland. Cavs won’t have a high enough pick in 2014 for it to make much of a difference to Lebron. Doubtful Lebron’s decision will depend on a rookie.

[hbomb3300Participant]

At the beginning of the year I felt the Cavs had a small shot at getting Lebron at the end of the year but after the hire of Mike Brown, Bennett seriously struggling, the Waiters drama, and the Deng trade I’m thinking it is very unlikely.  I think they would of had a pretty good shot if they had drafted better the last couple years, kept Byron Scott, and brought in a top 5 pick from this draft. 

[hbomb3300Participant]

At the beginning of the year I felt the Cavs had a small shot at getting Lebron at the end of the year but after the hire of Mike Brown, Bennett seriously struggling, the Waiters drama, and the Deng trade I’m thinking it is very unlikely.  I think they would of had a pretty good shot if they had drafted better the last couple years, kept Byron Scott, and brought in a top 5 pick from this draft. 

[NYK2010Participant]

Smh Lebron going to Cleveland talk he hasn’t decided to leave Miami.

If Wade retires in a couple of years wouldn’t another start want to play w/Lebron.

Why leave a championship contender for the Cavs who are a mess.

Yeah Kyrie is special but they have nothing else outside of cap room.

Drafting a bust this year didn’t help, 23rd on offense and 24th on defense doesn’t look good.

Just don’t see Lebron trying to fix a bad Cavs team unless another star comes with him there.

[NYK2010Participant]

Smh Lebron going to Cleveland talk he hasn’t decided to leave Miami.

If Wade retires in a couple of years wouldn’t another start want to play w/Lebron.

Why leave a championship contender for the Cavs who are a mess.

Yeah Kyrie is special but they have nothing else outside of cap room.

Drafting a bust this year didn’t help, 23rd on offense and 24th on defense doesn’t look good.

Just don’t see Lebron trying to fix a bad Cavs team unless another star comes with him there.

[thunderjerkParticipant]

 Why would LeBron want to play with a bunch of 23 year olds?

[thunderjerkParticipant]

 Why would LeBron want to play with a bunch of 23 year olds?

[kmp07sParticipant]

There was a time I thought this move made sense…but while Cleveland looked like a young building franchise with a lot of talent a year ago…now they look like a crappy team with a terrible front office whose made a lot of bad moves. I mean it basically looks like they wasted the number 1 pick.

Bottom line, you have to trust the organization in Miami to build a championship team around Lebron over any front office in the league. Players will take paycuts to come play with Lebron. Unless he really just wants to go back to Cleveland to remedy that situation…I don’t see it happening.

[kmp07sParticipant]

There was a time I thought this move made sense…but while Cleveland looked like a young building franchise with a lot of talent a year ago…now they look like a crappy team with a terrible front office whose made a lot of bad moves. I mean it basically looks like they wasted the number 1 pick.

Bottom line, you have to trust the organization in Miami to build a championship team around Lebron over any front office in the league. Players will take paycuts to come play with Lebron. Unless he really just wants to go back to Cleveland to remedy that situation…I don’t see it happening.

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