It was just last month LeBron James skipped the ESPYs to watch Lonzo Ball make his Summer League debut with the Los Angeles Lakers. That confirmed to me that he was seeking another team other than the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now, an NBA insider is confirming the LeBron’s departure for real.
NBA source said today: “This will be LeBron’s final season in Cleveland. He is 100 percent leaving. Relationship with owners beyond repair.”
— Chris Sheridan (@sheridanhoops) August 16, 2017
So who is Chris Sheridan and why does he matter? He’s a reliable veteran NBA reporter for one. Also, he’s the guy who first broke the news that LeBron was heading back to Cleveland when he left Miami three years ago.
Yeah, Cleveland. It’s officially time to panic.
wild…Cleveland’s had just about the worst offseason of any team in the NBA. https://t.co/vTHXdtfrI0
— Shahan Ahmed (@shahanLA) August 16, 2017
If only he could have known 3 years ago the owner was a crazy person … https://t.co/I1lTlRO9EV
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) August 16, 2017
Maybe they burn Dan Gilbert jerseys this time https://t.co/0NZ8OTaOdW
— Patrick Claybon (@PatrickClaybon) August 16, 2017
I believe the Chris Sheridan report. I also believe that LeBron can make very large decisions quickly so things can certainly change.
— Ken Carman (@KenCarman) August 16, 2017
LeBron and Cavs owner Dan Gilbert still despise each other, just as they did the first time LeBron left Cleveland. It’s also unfortunate that, for some reason, Kyrie Irving has had a falling out with the team and is demanding to be traded.
Carman is right, a lot can happen in a year. But it’s not looking good for Cleveland.
On the bright side, LeBron got them at least one championship — which is one more than they ever had in their entire history as a franchise.
Josh Helmuth is the editor of Crave Sports.
