Byron Scott believes James Harden prevented LeBron James from joining the Cavaliers

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James Harden is still a free agent, but everyone believes that he is headed back to the Cleveland Cavaliers on a long-term deal. They were much better when he joined the Cavs from the Los Angeles Clippers, and they reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2018.

Of course, the Cavs got swept, but it was a step in the right direction. Some of the players and fans thought they could've gotten LeBron James for a third stint in free agency, but it did not work out, as he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Byron Scott deems James Harden as the reason why LeBron James didn't go to Cleveland​

Now that LeBron is with the 76ers, people are speculating about the reasons why he didn't join the other teams in the running to sign him. Cleveland was among them, which would have been a poetic ending to LeBron's career because he is an Ohio native, and he already had two stints in Cleveland with a championship in the second.

Since they have a talented roster with Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen, the Cavaliers are always a team that can threaten anyone. They reached the Conference Finals, and they are on a positive trajectory despite the loss in the postseason.

MORE: The reason why James Harden has given the Cavaliers space to negotiate his contract

Unfortunately, that was not enough to convince LeBron to join the Cavs for the third time. In fact, former NBA head coach and player Byron Scott believes that Harden's presence was one of the reasons why LeBron chose to stay away from his hometown team.

"I think if they didn't have James Harden, I think he would have done it a third time, but then again, we also heard reports that Donovan Mitchell was not a good fit with LeBron... I think LeBron could fit pretty much any team you put him in; he's not a selfish player," Byron Scott said on his Fast Break podcast.

Harden will most likely sign a new deal with Cleveland, and they will run it back with the same core from the previous run. This will be Harden's first full season with the Cavaliers, and if they gain good momentum, a lot of people might get surprised by how good the Cavs can be.

More NBA news:​

• The Cavaliers had a secret meeting with LeBron James before he signed with the 76ers
• The Jaylen Brown trade convinced LeBron James to join the 76ers
• How James Harden's arrival in Cleveland has proven to be an issue for some people
• Mike Brown revealed that attacking James Harden was part of the Knicks' offense
• Inside the history of James Harden's struggles in the Playoffs throughout his career

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