It was just a week ago that LeBron James seemed on the brink of threatening the OKC Thunder's Western Conference title hopes for the upcoming season. Talks of his moving north to join Steph Curry and the Warriors sparked worry of yet another Bay Area superteam.
Recent rumblings stemming from the latest James saga, however, have made that unlikely, as the Warriors have made way for a new favorite to land the King.
Polymarket currently has the Cavaliers tabbed as clear favorites to land the future Hall of Famer, with Golden State a distant second. Behind them are the Heat and 76ers.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst echoed the sentiment when he mentioned that every other front office is afraid that Cleveland is the preferred destination.
In other words, James is almost surely returning to the Eastern Conference, where he spent the first 15 years of his career.
Thunder could miss most of the effects felt by LeBron's seismic decision
If James were to follow through with the Golden State rumors that were running rampant just a week ago, the Thunder would be in line to feel the direct effects of this decision.
James has made it clear that he's looking to sacrifice top-tier money to bolster the roster of a contender, in which case such a decision could cause ripple effects throughout the league.
Thankfully, the Cavs are a bit farther away from superteam status, even with the impending arrival of LeBron.
James Harden proved once again this past season that he struggles mightily to elevate his game during the postseason, as he averaged 4.7 turnovers per game and just 19.2 points. Evan Mobley and Jarett Allen are respectable big men, but they are in no way monumental stars.
The addition of James would surely increase Cleveland's chances of winning another ring, but it would not warrant them the title of "superteam."
Even if they were to establish themselves as the top dog in the East, it would leave the Thunder with yet another relatively straight shot at another Conference Finals appearance.
The rich have arguably gotten richer in the Western Conference, as both San Antonio and OKC have bolstered their already-stout rosters. Meanwhile, the Wolves, Nuggets, and Lakers have done little to earn fans' belief in their championship aspirations.
James' return to Cleveland would only further the ongoing shift in talent from the West to the East.
Star forward Kawhi Leonard recently joined that movement as well when he was traded from the Clippers to Toronto, and it appears as though the Thunder's path to another deep postseason run is getting even easier.
They likely won't be complaining when James finalizes his decision to return to his hometown for the third and final time in his career.
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