The Miami Heat may have Donovan Mitchell on their short list of star players to check in on this summer. However, if LeBron James ends up signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers in free agency this offseason, the Heat might as well cross Mitchell off their summer wishlist.
Per former NBA player Kendrick Perkins, there are whispers that LeBron may already be getting recruited back to Cleveland. Considering LeBron may only have a year or two left in his illustrious career, it would make sense for him to make a move back to Cleveland, especially if it does feel as if his time in Los Angeles is coming to an end.
LeBron is still an effective player as he approaches the latter end of his career, but he's no longer the featured player in Los Angeles. They've clearly made the pivot toward building around Luka Doncic, which is completely understandable.
If there were ever a time for LeBron to make one final move before the end of his career, it could be now. LeBron is 41 years old and has played 23 seasons in the Association.
Finishing his career in a Cavs uniform just feels right. And in the final year of his contract with the Lakers, it's slowly becoming more and more of a possibility heading into the offseason.
The Heat wouldn't want to see LeBron go to Cleveland
If LeBron were to make such a move, you'd have to imagine that would mean the Cavs would want to keep their current core in place. This is the type of move that would all but eliminate any chance the Heat would have at prying Mitchell away from the Cavs, no matter how this season ends for them.
Even if Mitchell didn't want to sign a long-term extension with the Cavs this summer, there's reason to believe he'd want to give it one more season in Cleveland, especially with LeBron on board.
That would have the potnetial to be a truly special and memorable season. As the Heat prepares for what will almost certainly be another summer of pursuing stars, Mitchell is one of the natural targets that comes to mind while scanning around the rest of the league.
It's common knowledge that Giannis Antetokounmpo will still be atop the Heat's list of targets this summer. But if he stays in Milwaukee by signing a long-term extension, or is sent via trade elsewhere, there's reason to believe that Mitchell is one of those non-Giannis stars who would appeal to Miami.
And if this year's NBA Trade Deadline was any indication, the Heat's chances of trading for Giannis probably aren't great. Mitchell, on the other hand, could be a much more realistic target, especially if the Cavs falter early on in the playoffs again.
But LeBron could change all that math for the Heat. LeBron returning to Cleveland this summer would likely significantly hurt Miami's chances at Mitchell.