Report: 'Pleading from family members' only thing that would keep LeBron with Cavs

If LeBron James is gung-ho on starting fresh with another organization to try and capture more championships, then it's going to take a heck of an effort from those closest to him to convince The King that remaining in Cleveland is the right move.

Those "privy to James' thinking" told the New York Times' Marc Stein that pleading from family members is the only reason why the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player would choose to stay with the Cavaliers.

James has a $35.6-million player option for the 2018-19 regular season that he'll almost certainly elect not to opt into so that he can become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

He's spent the last four years guiding the Cavaliers to four straight NBA Finals berths, but is just one loss away from falling once again to the juggernaut Golden State Warriors for the third time during that span. James is averaging a staggering 37.7 points, 10.7 assists, nine rebounds, 1.7 steals, and a rejection on 52.5 percent shooting against the reigning champions, with only one other Cavaliers player (Kevin Love, 21) contributing double-digit points per game this series.

It's Cleveland's lack of star power surrounding James, its poor cap situation, and seemingly unmovable assets to acquire another elite-level talent which makes it easy to believe that the 33-year-old forward will look for a change of scenery.

The Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, and Philadelphia 76ers have all been rumored to be potential landing spots for James.