LeBron James predicted to make stunning $49 million choice and leave Lakers in pursuit of 5th ring

In his 23rd NBA season, LeBron James is making $52.6 million in the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Presuming he returns, James' salary in his 24th season could be wildly different as he pursues his fifth NBA championship.

MORE: LeBron James admits brutal truth about Lakers after humbling loss to Thunder

Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz predicts that James won't be back in Los Angeles next season and instead will return to Cleveland for a third and final stint with his hometown Cavaliers. 

But to do so, James will have to take a drastic measure.

Swartz has predicted that James will sign a $15 million contract into Cleveland's mid-level exception -- or even a $3.3 million vet minimum contract.

This is because the Cavaliers already have an expensively-assembled roster, with James Harden, Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley all under contract. It has left Cleveland in a difficult financial situation that ordinarily would preclude them from signing a top free agent. 

Only three teams have less cap space to work with than the Cavs, meaning they can't offer James the maximum contract he's been used to getting.

However, that might not matter to James, who has made more than $580 million over his historic career. Rumors are already flying that the Cavs' core is pushing to recruit James for next season, and the chance to end his legendary career where it began in 2003 might prove too challenging to pass up -- even if it comes at the cost of nearly $50 million in salary.

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• James Harden is happy to be playing with an 'unselfish' group with the Cavaliers

• Charles Lee believes the Hornets truly tested the Pistons during their fiery matchup