LeBron James to Cavs is ‘99%’ if the price is right, NBA insider says

LeBron James has not decided when he is done. That much is clear. What is getting louder, though, is where this could all be headed if he is not.

James is finishing the season with the Lakers, chasing Western Conference contention alongside Luka Doncic. Beyond that, everything is open. Retirement is possible. Another season feels likely. And unrestricted free agency is very real.

That is where the Cavaliers keep coming up.

Appearing on ESPN Cleveland, national insider Brian Windhorst said he is “99%” certain James would return to Cleveland next season if he is willing to accept what the Cavs can realistically offer.

That means a major pay cut. Possibly the minimum. Maybe some creative maneuvering around the tax mid-level. Nothing close to market value.

From Cleveland’s perspective, Windhorst said, it is straightforward. They’d be happy to have him. But they can only offer what they can offer.

The basketball case is still there. Even at 41, James remains highly productive when healthy. The defense comes and goes. The playmaking does not. He is still an All-Star-level presence, just not the nightly engine he once was.

James is averaging 22.0 points, 7.1 assists, and 5.8 rebounds this season on efficient shooting inside the arc. The body is not what it was in 2018. The mind still runs the game.

There is also buy-in, as Donovan Mitchell has made it clear he would welcome the idea.

“As a Bron fan, to be able to be a teammate, that would be special,” Mitchell said. “It’s LeBron James.”

The money matters. The door, though, is very much open.