Wenhorst: If James agrees to a veteran minimum contract, the chance of him returning to the Cavaliers in the offseason will reach 99%

On February 19th Beijing time, ESPN reporter Wenhorst talked about the chances of James returning to Cleveland during the offseason on his recent podcast. He mentioned that if James wants to return to the Cavaliers, he may need to accept a veteran minimum contract. He said, "If James is willing and capable of accepting a minimum salary deal, then his return to the Cleveland Cavaliers could be as high as 99%."

Previously, it was clear that James had not yet decided when to retire. However, more and more people are speculating about where his next destination will be if he doesn’t retire. Another reporter, Sam Amico, said, "I’ve noticed that everyone in the league is talking about three places... Cleveland, Golden State, and San Antonio. These three locations are the main guesses."

This season, James will finish the remaining games with the Lakers, competing alongside Doncic for a Western Conference playoff spot. In the upcoming offseason, anything is possible: he might retire, or more likely, play another season. Being an unrestricted free agent gives him significant control over his next move.

In this context, the Cavaliers keep being mentioned. Wenhorst said that from Cleveland’s perspective, it’s straightforward: they warmly welcome James back but can only offer a contract within their means.

Earlier, the New York Post analyzed James’s offseason options and ranked a return to the Cavaliers as the most likely scenario. The outlet said, "James’s timeline perfectly aligns with Cleveland’s. The Lakers are building their future around Doncic, while the Cavaliers want to win now. It makes one wonder: will James return to where his dream began and team up with Mitchell to chase a championship?"

James’s latest odds for his next team also show the Cavaliers as the top favorite. The top five teams are Cleveland (+150), Golden State (+250), New York Knicks (+350), Denver Nuggets (+600), and Philadelphia 76ers (+800).