In a scene that harkened back to his days as the heart of the franchise, LeBron James received a resounding welcome from the fans in Cleveland during the Cavaliers' playoff face-off with the Boston Celtics. 

The Los Angeles Lakers' marquee player, who may hit free agency if he chooses to opt out of his contract, was present at the game alongside his wife, Savannah, and his agent, Rich Paul.

The 39-year-old James, who has the option to exit his Lakers deal this summer, is expected to explore his options. His storied tenure with the Cavaliers includes two of his four NBA MVP titles and the memorable 2016 championship, the only one in the franchise's history. 

James' departure from Cleveland in 2018 marked the end of an era, but his legacy there remains unmatched, leading the Cavaliers in nearly every statistical category.

With a career that spans two periods in Cleveland, from 2003 to 2010 and then from 2014 to 2018, interspersed with a stint at the Miami Heat, James' influence on the Cavaliers is indelible. 

As the summer approaches, speculation mounts about his future with the Lakers, despite indications suggesting he'll don the purple and gold once more. Yet, his appearance at the Cavaliers game might be more than mere spectatorship—it could be a strategic move to keep the basketball world speculating about his next chapter.