Donovan Mitchell Reacts to LeBron-Cavs Rumors: “Yeah, It’s LeBron James... But That’s Not My Focus”
The All-Star break is always good for a few headlines, and this year’s festivities didn’t disappoint - especially when the topic turned to a potential LeBron James homecoming in Cleveland.
When asked about the possibility of James returning to the Cavaliers for a third stint, Donovan Mitchell didn’t shy away from the moment. His response? Respectful, measured, and focused - exactly what you’d want from your franchise cornerstone with months of basketball still ahead.
“As a Bron fan, man, to be able to be a teammate, obviously that would be special,” Mitchell said during an appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio. “But that’s not something that is in my control. I control what we got here.”
Mitchell acknowledged the buzz - and let’s be honest, when LeBron’s name is in the mix, there’s always going to be buzz - but he made it clear that his eyes are locked on the present. The Cavaliers have made some big moves, and Mitchell is more concerned with what’s in front of him than what might be coming down the road.
“I’m big on believing what I control,” he continued. “Yeah, it’s LeBron James.
But at the end of the day, that’s not my focus. I’m not here to worry about that.
I know that I’m gonna get asked that a bunch all weekend, but my focus is, we just traded for James Harden, Dennis Schroder, and Keon Ellis - hey, let’s find a way to get a ring and go from there.”
That’s a significant statement. Mitchell didn’t dismiss the idea of playing with LeBron - far from it.
He called it “special.” But he also made it clear that the Cavs aren’t sitting around waiting for a savior.
They’ve reloaded at the deadline, and they’re pushing for a deep playoff run now.
As for LeBron? The 41-year-old is already in uncharted territory, playing in his 23rd NBA season - the only player in league history to do so.
Rumors have swirled that he might be eyeing a return to Cleveland, where his NBA journey began back in 2003. It would be his third go-around with the franchise that drafted him No. 1 overall.
James’ history with the Cavaliers is, of course, the stuff of legend. His first stint ran from 2003 to 2010, before he left for Miami in search of a championship - a move that paid off with four straight Finals appearances and two titles alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
He returned to Cleveland in 2014 and delivered on the promise, leading the Cavs to four straight Finals and bringing home the franchise’s first - and still only - championship in 2016. That title run, capped by a 3-1 comeback against the 73-win Warriors, remains one of the most iconic moments in NBA history. LeBron was named Finals MVP, solidifying his legacy not just in Cleveland, but across the league.
Since joining the Lakers in 2018, James has added another ring (2020) to his collection. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers have gone through a rebuild and emerged as a legitimate force in the East.
They’ve made the playoffs in each of the last three seasons and posted a conference-best 64 wins last year. But despite all that regular season success, postseason progress has been elusive - Cleveland hasn’t made it past the second round since LeBron’s last season in 2018.
Still, there’s a sense that something is building. The Cavs went into the All-Star break riding a hot streak - winners of five straight and 10 of their last 11. They’ll return to action Thursday night with a home game against the struggling Brooklyn Nets, looking to keep that momentum rolling.
Whether LeBron returns or not remains to be seen. But for now, Mitchell and the Cavs are focused on what they can control - and that’s chasing a title with the group they’ve got.