The Cleveland Cavaliers made at least one announcement yesterday…just not the one every Cleveland fan was hoping for.
Despite reports from several media outlets, Lebron James did not officially announce that he is returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers at 11:00pm last night. Twenty-four hours earlier, multiple reports indicated that Lebron was set to make it official and return to the Cavaliers.
The growing anticipation forced Cleveland natives to gather around Lebron’s home in Akron causing minor traffic accidents and general unrest. Several Twitter accounts flashed pics of the crowds forming, and Bleacher Report was even able to snag a pic of a fender bender that took place nearby:
The madness outside of LeBron’s house now includes a car crash http://t.co/sQcGcgiH1a pic.twitter.com/wDJOL9kaTZ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 10, 2014
Bath police moving outside of LeBron James home @clevelanddotcom pic.twitter.com/raKGttmpc8
— Mary Kilpatrick (@_marykilpatrick) July 10, 2014
The scene outside @KingJames house right now, as people await his decision for next season #Cavaliers #Heat pic.twitter.com/Tege1z9QMG
— Doug Rush (@Doug_Rush) July 10, 2014
So despite the dissappointment that Lebron was not part of the announcmenet, the Cavaliers did meet with the media to announce that their three-team trade with Boston and Brooklyn was official. The Cavs also confirmed the all-star point guard Kyrie Irving signed his $90 million dollar max contract offer sheet, keeping him in Cleveland for the next five years.
“We couldn’t be happier to have Kyrie firmly at the core of our Cavaliers team and family for years to come,” general manager David Griffin said. “He’s already proven he’s among the best in the NBA and we’re excited to watch his continued growth and success. To know that he is all in and shares our high expectations and championship goals is something we’re extremely proud of.”
The Cavaliers trade was viewed as clearing cap room for Lebron’s max deal while locking in a young superstar like Irving could entice James back to the team he spurned four years ago. But despite all of these moves, James’ return to Cleveland is not set in stone. According to a report on ESPN.com , Lebron James is still having issues with the way he was treated by Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert following his departure.
The article states that King James is still upset over a letter written by Gilbert that publicly ripped him for leaving. “One reason, if not the major reason, that LeBron James has taken so long to decide whether to play in Miami or Cleveland next season,” the article reads, “is the infamous letter Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert penned about James after the superstar left Cleveland in 2010, sources said.”
Where do you think Lebron James will play next year? And will the Cavaliers trade help being King James home?
