The LeBron James free agency rumors started heating up again after the Cleveland Cavaliers got the number one pick in the draft and while it's unlikely he returns, the Cavs feel like they have a shot and teams like the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, LA Lakers and New York Knicks all could be in the mix to sign James once he becomes a free agent in the summer after the playoffs end in 2014.
James will be coming into the offseason as an NBA champion for the third straight season or as a runner up and while that may not affect what he does as a free agent, teams will see him as more vulnerable to leaving Miami if the team loses. James has loved playing in Miami with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh and with Wade saying that he wants to stay and Bosh saying that he would be willing to take less money again, it's very unlikely James goes elsewhere. Miami has given James the chance to get into Michael Jordan territory and he loves playing for Pat Riley as well.
The Cavaliers think they have a chance to bring back James and hey, good for them, as they got the number one pick in the draft for the second year in a row. It likely would take a lot more than just that to get James back, but people can dream. The Cavaliers need to show that they are not a mess and getting James to come back would be the ultimate move, but it is nearly impossible to see that happening this summer. James may return as an elder statesman, but not in his prime and now when the Cavaliers are still hanging around the draft lottery.
The team messed up their pick last season with Anthony Bennett and while it's too soon to say a player is a bust, Bennett sure looks like one. Kyrie Irving is the best player on the team and one of the best point guards in the NBA and any chance at getting James down the line means keeping Irving somehow. This past season Irving appeared frustrated with the constant questions about his future and one reason he likely was so defensive is because he knows what everyone else does: he likely will leave just like LeBron the first chance he gets.
This summer there are some teams that could have a realistic shot at James even if it's unlikely, as the Chicago Bulls and Houston Rockets have strong teams that are a couple pieces away from being championship contenders. To have any chance of signing James though, those teams will have to make some big moves to clear space for his contract and that is why Miami is where he likely will end up. The Bulls have Carlos Boozer to amnesty or trade along with Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson and that would give James the chance to team up with Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose as the Bulls try to win a title. Yeah, the Michael Jordan comparisons wouldn't get crazy if that happened or anything.
