Cleveland Cavaliers' Level of Interest in LeBron James Revealed

Rumors suggest the Cleveland Cavaliers are potentially interested in reuniting with LeBron James this offseason, amidst perceived tensions between James and the Los Angeles Lakers.

A significant obstacle to a trade is James' $52.6 million salary for next season. Acquiring him via trade would require Cleveland to send substantial assets back to the Lakers, a move the Cavaliers reportedly are not interested in making.

However, according to Ashish Mathur of Hoops Wire, the Cavaliers would have interest in James under one specific circumstance: if he became available via a buyout. Sources indicate Cleveland is only interested in this scenario, recognizing James' value as a recent All-NBA Second Team selection and sixth-place MVP finisher, while acknowledging a trade is unfeasible due to his salary.

James has a history with the Cavaliers, playing his first seven NBA seasons there (2003-2010) and returning in 2014, leading the team to a championship in 2016.

Now 40 years old, James is acknowledged to not be the same player he was a decade ago. Despite this, he averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game on efficient shooting splits (51.3%/37.6%/78.2%) for the Lakers last season.

Questions remain about how James would fit alongside Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. However, on a potential one-year contract following a buyout, the Cavaliers might be willing to take that risk.