LeBron James future with the Los Angeles Lakers is up in the air, and in turn, teams around the league are quietly hoping for the chance to add the veteran forward.
At 41, obviously, James isn't the superstar he once was, but still playing at an All-Star level, several teams have already emerged as legitimate suitors for the future Hall of Famer if he indeed does move on from the Lakers this offseason.
One of those potential suitors listed is the Cleveland Cavaliers, and even with their disappointing sweep in the Eastern Conference Finals, a reunion could be a situation that interests James.
If that is the case, outside of the Cavaliers, the Washington Wizards may be the only other team banking on James to return to his hometown team.
A LeBron James-Cavaliers reunion could open the door for an AD trade
For the Cavaliers to land LeBron, it will almost certanly come at the expense of a core piece.
Bringing James back to Cleveland doesn't make any sense without Donovan Mitchell and James Harden on the roster still, and there's no doubt that Evan Mobley would remain on the roster.
That said, the most likely candidate to be moved to make room would be big man Jarrett Allen.
If that were the case, the Cavs would immediately have a vacant spot in the frontcourt that could position them to make a bold swing, one that James would almost certainly have interest in.
There's no doubt that the relationship between James and Anthony Davis is strong, and after their time in Los Angeles came to a sudden end, both sides made it clear how disappointed they were.
A reunion in Cleveland wouldn't just give James the opportunity to bring another championship back to the team that drafted him, but it would also give him the chance to team back up with Davis, assuming the Wizards are indeed willing to move on from the star.
For a deal to work, though, Cleveland would have to get creative.
Cavs would have trouble landing AD due to second apron restrictions
Any deal to land AD in Cleveland would almost certainly have to include a third team, as the Cavaliers are deep into the second apron.
Obviously, with enough determination, a deal could get across the finish line, but Cleveland would have to find a third party willing to help them facilitate a deal, and it would have to be a package worth it for the Wizards to essentially forfeit their big swing ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
Nonetheless, if Washington wants a suitor for Davis to emerge, a return to Cleveland for James would likely create at least one team interested.
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