Even with the NBA trade deadline in the rearview mirror, the rumor mill isn’t slowing down-especially when it comes to LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. While no midseason move materialized, the buzz now shifts to the offseason, and one team is beginning to surface in the conversation: the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Yes, that Cleveland.
According to former NBA big man and current analyst Kendrick Perkins, there’s chatter that Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell and veteran guard James Harden are preparing a full-court press to recruit LeBron back to where it all began. On a recent episode of the Road Trippin' podcast, Perkins revealed that his sources are pointing toward a potential summer push to bring James back to Northeast Ohio.
“My sources told me that Donovan Mitchell and James Harden are starting the push to go and recruit LeBron James this offseason,” Perkins said.
Now, this isn’t the first time whispers of a LeBron-Cleveland reunion have surfaced. The idea of the 41-year-old future Hall of Famer finishing his career where it started-and where he delivered the city’s first NBA championship in 2016-has always carried a certain poetic weight. But this time, there’s a bit more smoke.
Let’s talk about the fit.
If LeBron were to return to Cleveland, he’d be joining a core that already includes Mitchell, Harden, and rising star Evan Mobley. That’s not just a solid lineup-that’s a group with serious playoff aspirations.
The Cavaliers are currently sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference and have been one of the more balanced squads in the league this season. Adding LeBron to that mix could be the final piece to push them into true contender status.
It’s also worth noting that the Lakers’ future with LeBron is looking murkier by the day. There’s growing speculation that the franchise may be ready to turn the page, especially as they look to retool around Anthony Davis and a younger supporting cast. That opens the door for LeBron to explore other options-and Cleveland, a city he knows intimately, could be a compelling one.
"My sources told me that Donovan Mitchell and James Harden are starting the push to go and recruit LeBron James this offseason."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 7, 2026
— Kendrick Perkins 👀
(via @RoadTrippinShow)pic.twitter.com/HCR0cWp32q
Despite battling through injuries this season, LeBron has still been remarkably productive. In 33 games, he’s averaging 21.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game, while shooting an efficient 50.6% from the field.
His three-point shooting has dipped to 31.5%, but his overall impact remains undeniable. He’s still orchestrating offenses, still finding his spots, and still capable of taking over games when needed.
At 41, we’re watching the tail end of one of the greatest careers the league has ever seen-but LeBron’s not just coasting. He’s still producing at a high level, and if he’s eyeing one last chapter, it makes sense that he’d want to write it somewhere meaningful.
Cleveland checks that box.
Of course, there are a lot of moving parts here. Free agency, roster construction, cap space-it all matters. But if Mitchell and Harden are indeed leading the charge behind the scenes, it’s a storyline worth tracking as the offseason approaches.
LeBron in wine and gold one more time? It’s not out of the question. And if it happens, it won’t just be a sentimental reunion-it could be a strategic power move for a Cavs team that’s already knocking on the door.