James Harden and the Cavaliers want to welcome LeBron James with open arms, but is the feeling mutual?
Harden is still technically a free agent now, awaiting clarity on what direction the Cavaliers will take and whether that direction involves LeBron.
“We’re just waiting for the big guy,” Harden said, according to former LeBron teammate Channing Frye of Yahoo Sports.
Likewise, when asked if he would like to share the court with James in Cleveland, the answer was simple.
“Yeah,” a source said of Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson. “James respects LeBron’s game; they both have mutual respect as competitors and they both want to see the other perform well.”
But does the feeling go both ways?
Infamously, LeBron selected Harden in the 2022 All-Star Draft As a last resort option.
Also, on the “Game Over” podcast, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul pulled out a whiteboard to discuss LeBron’s options, and he didn’t have anything good to say about Harden.
“On the negative side, and no offense to Harden, there’s no Darius Garland,” Paul said on his podcast. “Because LeBron loves Garland as much as he loves Tyrese Maxey.”
Insider Kevin O’Connor believes that if the Cavaliers find a way to bring back Kyrie Irving and move the Beard, the choice will be easy for the 41-year-old.
“The consensus around the league is that if the front office can replace Harden with Irving, LeBron will be more likely to choose the Cavaliers. A 2016 reunion would be a lovely story…” O’Connor said.
However, O’Connor then points out that there are two major obstacles to this scenario
“Problem No. 1: The Mavericks don’t want to trade Irving.
“…Question Two: The Cavaliers are happy with Harden.”
Unfortunately for LeBron, a lot of things may not go his way no matter which team he decides to go to.
Shams reports that most teams LeBron is considering in free agency can only offer him a veteran’s minimum salary or an exception deal, which is a $4 million contract.
READ MORE: LeBron James’ free agency decision hinges on three priorities
