The man behind one of the strangest LeBron James scoops is trying his hand at another one.
Jonathan Gotschall, the former Caroline’s Cupcakes owner whose bakery drew national attention in 2014 for calling James’ return to Cleveland, is now floating another wild rumor.
In a post from POKÉ Fresh Ohio, which he now owns, Gotschall claimed James is not only coming back to Cleveland but also bringing son Bronny James and Draymond Green with him.
“Hey guys. I’ve got it on good authority that not only is LeBron coming back to Cleveland, but he’s bringing Bronny and Draymond with him!” Gotschall wrote. “If you don’t believe me, you can Google ‘Caroline’s Cupcakes + LeBron’ to check my credentials. This ain’t my first rodeo. IYKYK.”
Gotschall told The Post that it’s “still a rumor,” but still posted the rumor publicly.
More than a decade ago, Gotschall scooped the entire NBA world days before James penned a letter announcing his return to Cleveland after four seasons with the Miami Heat.
“Just texting with a friend who is directly tied in with LeBron and his camp, and he swears on his life #TheReturn to Cleveland is a done deal,” Gotschall wrote on Facebook on July 5, 2014, five days before the official announcement. “Per his sources, calls have already been made to other current Cavaliers to spread the news. If this is true, and like anything on the internet, take that with a grain of salt … are you ready to get out your old jersey and welcome LeBron home?!?”
The Washington Post picked up on the rumor two days later, joking that while ice cream wasn’t on the menu at the sweet shop, “scoops are.”
Now, Gotschall is laying his reputation on the line once again, hoping lightning can strike twice.
The latest claim comes as James’ Lakers future has all but come to an end, with the four-time NBA champion reportedly informing the franchise that he plans to play elsewhere next season.
A return to Cleveland would mark James’ third stint with the Cavaliers, the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2003 and the franchise he led to its first NBA championship in 2016.
It would also place him on a far different Cleveland roster than the one he rejoined in 2014, with the Cavaliers now built around Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and likely returnee James Harden.
The Bronny and Draymond elements would make the rumor even more complicated.
Bronny played with his father in Los Angeles the last two seasons, marking the first father-son duo to appear together in an NBA game.
Green, meanwhile, has spent his entire career with the Warriors, but he has long been close with James.
