Cleveland Cavaliers Trade Rumors: LeBron James Going Back To Miami Heat?

Jun 08, 2016 09:34 AM EDT

With the way the Cleveland Cavaliers are performing in the finals, it probably won't come as a surprise if some of its members depart the current roster. And, as suggested by the latest rumors, it seems LeBron James who might leave the team once this season is over.

But, his departure from the Cavs is not the surprising part but actually which team he could end up in next season. As speculated by Stephen Smith of ESPN via Sportsrageous, not matter how the finals turn out, there is a chance that James might return to the Miami Heat.

According to the insider, he was in Miami a couple of weeks ago and there have been talks there about the return of King James. Now, at this point, it's very hard to confirm if this is actually true but as Smith noted, James' status with the Cavs apparently largely depends on the promise he made to the team when he signed with them in 2014.

Smith said that back then, the star player promised the team a championship. Obviously, that did not happen in 2015 which means this is the year that he could fulfill that promise. But, since they can't seem to stop the Golden State Warriors, James might have to abandon that promise again this year.

"LeBron James promised the city of Cleveland, 'I'm coming back to bring you that elusive title that has escaped this city since 1964,'" Smith said. "He never said anything about staying once he does accomplish that."

"Look man, there's a lot going on and there's a lot riding on him on winning," he added. "Losing changes everything, because it keeps [him] there in Cleveland. But more importantly, it keeps him stuck, because he knows he can't leave until he fulfills his promise. And if you can't because you're not a champion, that's far worse than just choosing to stay because you want to."

Cleveland, of course, is very close to James heart that drafted him in 2003. He was with them until 2010 and that's the team he was with when he first became MVP. But then again, the Heat have been closely associated with James because they are the one who helped him build a mini-championship dynasty for two years.

Given these factors, there is a possibility that James could opt out of his player option once this season ends and sign with Miami.