LeBron James will return to the Cleveland Cavaliers

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This is the big one. 

LeBron James, via an article in Sports Illustrated, announced that he will return to the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

It's official, the prodigal son is coming home. 

In the essay, James mentions his childhood growing up in Northeast Ohio, saying he feels "like I'm their son." 

A stark contrast to 2010's "The Decision" broadcast, James struck a much more business-like tone with the essay. 

"I’m not having a press conference or a party. After this, it’s time to get to work."

James mentions that he is not about to promise a championship - or seven - and is realistic that it will be a long, patience-testing process. 

Ultimately, James said his calling "goes above basketball", and he buried the hatchet with Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert. 

The letter from Dan Gilbert, the booing of the Cleveland fans, the jerseys being burned -- seeing all that was hard for them. My emotions were more mixed. It was easy to say, “OK, I don’t want to deal with these people ever again.” But then you think about the other side. What if I were a kid who looked up to an athlete, and that athlete made me want to do better in my own life, and then he left? How would I react? I’ve met with Dan, face-to-face, man-to-man. We’ve talked it out. Everybody makes mistakes. I’ve made mistakes as well. Who am I to hold a grudge? 

And so the fallout begins. 

Miami Heat owner Micky Arison immediately weighed in on Twitter, expressing both gratitude and disappointment. 

This is unquestionably league-shattering news. As the biggest domino of free agency has fallen, there is sure to be a flurry of activity on the way involving Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Love, and every other team across the league that had made plans to lure LeBron.