Darius Garland doesn’t expect LeBron James to return to Cavs

Could LeBron James return to Cleveland for a third stint with the Cavaliers?

Former Cavs guard Darius Garland isn’t betting on it.

Appearing recently on the Ball in the Family Podcast, Garland was asked about the possibility of James returning to Cleveland in free agency this summer. The current Clippers guard indicated he doesn’t see it happening.

Garland’s reasoning was simple. After spending the past eight years in Los Angeles, it may be difficult for James to leave Southern California behind.

James is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, fueling speculation about his future for the first time since he left the Cavaliers for the Lakers in 2018.

Naturally, Cleveland has been mentioned as a potential landing spot.

The Cavs are coming off their deepest playoff run in nearly a decade, reaching the Eastern Conference finals before being swept by the Knicks. They already feature an established core led by Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and James Harden.

Adding James to that mix would instantly create one of the NBA’s most intriguing storylines. Whether it’s realistic is another matter.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst recently reported that James is not expected to take a significant pay cut, which presents a major obstacle for Cleveland. As things currently stand, the Cavs have very limited financial flexibility and would be unable to offer anything close to James’ market value.

That reality is one reason many league observers continue to view a return to the Lakers as the most likely outcome.

Of course, James’ history with Cleveland ensures the rumors won’t disappear entirely.

The Akron native remains the most important player in franchise history, leading the Cavs to four straight NBA Finals appearances from 2015-18 and delivering the city’s first major professional sports championship in more than 50 years with the unforgettable comeback against Golden State in 2016.

James recently acknowledged that title remains the most meaningful accomplishment of his career.

“Winning in Cleveland was a goal that I wanted to do,” he said. “I always wanted to win one back home.”

As for whether there will be one final chapter in Cleveland? Garland doesn’t seem convinced.

And for now, the obstacles appear greater than the possibility.