LeBron James confirms Cavs were serious consideration in free agency

LeBron James may have chosen the Sixers, but a third stint with the Cavaliers was apparently a very real possibility.

James confirmed as much after Thursday’s 114-106 win over the Cavs, acknowledging that Cleveland received serious consideration during his summer free agency.

“The nature of the meeting, I probably won’t discuss much, but it was consideration for sure,” James told reporters, via Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. “I mean, that’s a team trying to build toward the championship and things of that nature.”

The Cavs were reportedly the only team James met with during his 25 days on the open market. Their contingent included president of basketball operations Koby Altman, vice president Grant Gilbert and general manager Brandon Weems, a longtime friend of James.

Cleveland was among five finalists, along with Philadelphia, Minnesota, Miami and Golden State.

According to Fedor, several people within the Cavs organization believed James was leaning toward a return. That included Donovan Mitchell, who helped recruit him and later admitted he was surprised by the decision.

Coach Kenny Atkinson didn’t hide his disappointment, either.

“You’re anticipating. You’re excited. You’re expecting something to happen, and it doesn’t happen and that first day or two you’re just like depressed, quite honestly,” Atkinson said.

The Cavs eventually shifted their attention elsewhere, trading for Peyton Watson and bringing Mario Hezonja back from overseas.

Atkinson praised the organization for moving quickly after James went another direction, calling the failed pursuit a tough blow.

Of course, the whole thing came full circle Thursday. The Cavs built a 29-point lead against James and his new team, only to watch the Sixers rally for an opening-night victory.

So Cleveland missed out on LeBron twice in a matter of months. Once in free agency. Once on the basketball court.