Cleveland Cavaliers believe LeBron James is open to returning

[Auggie]

After more than two years of planning, the Cleveland Cavaliers believe they have LeBron James listening to their pitch to leave the Miami Heat and return to his home state in free agency, according to sources close to the process.

There has yet to be a firm indication that James is ready to leave Miami after four years and two championships with the Heat, but sources told ESPN.com that the four-time MVP is increasingly considering the Cavaliers as an option as he moves into the final stages of deciding which team to sign his next contract with.'

A critical face-to-face meeting with Heat president Pat Riley looms on a day to be determined this week, sources confirmed Sunday night, so that James can hear the Hall of Famer's plans for the Heat's roster. But James' agent, Rich Paul, has already sat down with Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert in what is regarded as the first formal step toward trying to shrink the gulf between James and Gilbert after the ocean of hard feelings stemming from James' departure from Cleveland in 2010 to sign with the Heat.

Sources say that the Cavs' pitch made to Paul last week -- which they also hope to make this week to James in their own face-to-face meeting -- revolves around Kyrie Irving and the other young prospects they have in addition to the numerous options Cleveland possesses to add to the roster over the next year.

MORE: http://espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/story/_/id/11184766/cleveland-cavaliers-believe-lebron-james-receptive-their-free-agency-pitch-according-sources

I'd be amazed if James returned.

[madinmaryland]

1. That's interesting. Wonder what the jealous douchebags in Miami will do?

[El Supremo]

2. Wish they hadn't left so early?

[mythology]

3. Given the heartless way he left previously

I wonder if he's doing this to build up home only to crush it under his boot?

[joeybee12]

4. What the heck is wrong with the City of Cleveland?

They also think Johnny Manziel was a good pick! Something in the water, I assume.

[Auggie]

5. Well yeah, Cleveland is on Lake Eerie

I think it would be great if James returned to Cleveland, but given the send off he received on his departure I can't see him wanting to.

[joeybee12]

6. Yeah, also, what has changed with the Cavaliers to make him

want to return...not really all that much...they're still muddling around.

[JonLP24]

10. They started from scratch

but they have a young all-star level PG and a solid veteran in Varejao. Tristan Thompson, and Dion Waiters are young players that are getting better and could develop even further. 1st pick Andrew Wiggins could be a future all-star. Too soon to tell on Bennett but this team has the potential to be a force w/ players that could be around for years. Miami seems to be a tougher spot, especially a few years down the road.

It doesn't help that the Cavs have a rookie head coach though.

[hughee99]

7. Most of the Cavs fans would need to buy new James jerseys,

given what they've probably done to the old ones.

[JonLP24]

9. +1

[JonLP24]

8. It wouldn't be a bad choice

Could be a better choice than Miami w/ the considering they have one of the best collection of young potential talent which could be a force, especially w/ Lebron. Suns have massive cap room to land a couple high priced free agents but they quit trying to recruit him because he doesn't even want to hear what they have to say.

Odds favor him going back to Miami but I actually think the runner-up is Cleveland. I do hope he stays in Miami to win 7 Championships. NBA Finals 4-straight seasons isn't bad though.

[JonLP24]

11. 2 NBA Insiders Are Hearing That LeBron James Is Set To Return To The Cavs And Shock The World Read

Chris Sheridan of Sheridan Hoops (and formerly of ESPN and the AP) has a league source that says James has decided to sign with the Cavs and that the announcement will be made on James' website, LeBronJames.com.

Sheridan later doubled-down on his report saying the national media is being fed misinformation and that he stands by his source and story "100%."

Stephen A. Smith of ESPN was less emphatic but is hearing the same thing. "Based on what I am hearing," Smith told ESPN Radio. "LeBron goes to Cleveland, [Carmelo Anthony] goes to New York."

<snip>

James also reportedly reached out to Mike Miller and one other free agent about joining forces if James decided to leave the Heat.

In addition, the Cavs are also pursuing a trade for Kevin Love and Wojnarowski says that will only happen if James signs with Cleveland. Ken Berger of CBS Sports adds that Love is also interested, but only if James would be his teammate.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/lebron-to-cavs-rumors-2014-7#ixzz37B0vvo8E