LeBron James says he's signing with Cleveland Cavaliers, leaving South Beach to return home

FILE - In this March 10, 2007 file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James reacts to a shot made by teammate Anderson Varejao during the final seconds of the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game, in Milwaukee. The three-team trade that gave the Cavaliers salary cap space to possibly land LeBron James is official. The Cavs and Boston Celtics confirmed the deal on Thursday, July 10, 2014, when the NBA moratorium on signings ended. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File) (The Associated Press)

Lebron James smiles during the Lebron James Skills Academy Wednesday, July 9, 2014, in Las Vegas. Pat Riley made his pitch. And now, LeBron James wants time to think The Miami Heat president met with the four-time NBA MVP in Las Vegas, two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. James, his agent Rich Paul, Riley and Heat executive Andy Elisburg were at the meeting, said one of the people. (AP Photo/John Locher) (The Associated Press)

LeBron James is going back to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

James tells Sports Illustrated, that he's decided to go home. It's a move that would have seemed unfathomable four years ago, after the venomous fallout that followed his decision to leave Cleveland for the Miami Heat.

James told SI: "My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball. I didn't realize that four years ago. I do now."

He spent his first seven NBA seasons in Cleveland. In four years with the Heat, he went to the NBA Finals four times, winning two championships. And now heads back to Cleveland to see if he can finally deliver on his promise of winning a crown for that title-starved city.

James is from Akron, Ohio, not far from Cleveland.

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Tim Reynolds reported from Las Vegas and Tom Withers reported from Cleveland