You can add Kevin Garnett to the list of people who would like to see LeBron James end his NBA career in Cleveland.
Speaking on his podcast, Garnett said he believes James should consider returning to the Cavaliers if he decides to play one final season.
“If you’re doing a farewell tour and this is his last hurrah, I would like to see him in Cleveland,” Garnett said. “Take a pay cut, go back somewhere.”
It’s a sentiment shared by plenty of basketball fans, particularly in Northeast Ohio.
Whether it’s realistic is another matter.
As Hoops Wire recently noted, most league observers continue to view the Lakers as the most likely destination if James decides to continue playing. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst has also pointed out that Cleveland currently lacks the cap flexibility to simply sign James outright at anything close to his market value.
That hasn’t stopped the speculation.
Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus recently identified the Cavs as the most logical landing spot should James leave Los Angeles.
“If there’s a franchise willing to pay James the required three years in a sign-and-trade deal to wind down his legendary career, it’s the Cavaliers,” Pincus wrote.
Of course, the connection between James and Cleveland goes far beyond basketball.
After returning to the Cavaliers in 2014, James helped deliver the franchise’s first NBA championship two years later, leading the historic comeback from a 3-1 deficit against the 73-win Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals.
The story simply feels unfinished to some people. Then again, there are others who believe James’ final chapter could remain in Los Angeles.
Veteran NBA insider Marc Spears recently suggested the Lakers could even reunite James with former Cavs teammate Kevin Love, who is also headed toward free agency.
Nothing appears imminent on either front.
But as long as James’ future remains unsettled, the Cavaliers — and Cleveland — will continue to be part of the conversation.
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