LeBron James left Cleveland the first time around because he couldn’t find the right co-star to chase a title with him in Northeast Ohio. Now, nearly two decades later, the script might be flipping - and fast.
According to former Cav and current ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins, there’s a push coming from within the Cavaliers’ locker room to bring LeBron back home. Speaking on the Road Trippin’ Show, Perkins said that Donovan Mitchell and James Harden are already laying the groundwork to recruit James this offseason.
“My sources told me that Donovan Mitchell and James Harden are ready, are starting to push to go and recruit LeBron James this offseason,” Perkins said. “My sources tell me that as soon as James Harden got on the phone, got around the team, the initial was, ‘We’re about to make this run, we’re about to go all out. We want LeBron James.’”
That’s not just idle talk. There’s been a growing buzz around the idea of LeBron returning to Cleveland for one final chapter.
Earlier in the day, The Athletic’s Jason Lloyd added fuel to the fire, saying on local radio, “If [LeBron] plays anywhere next year, it’s going to be here [Cleveland].” And per reports from earlier this month, the Cavaliers would welcome him back with open arms.
Now, whether that reunion actually happens is anyone’s guess. But the fact that Cleveland’s new-look backcourt is already thinking big - and thinking LeBron - says a lot about where their heads are at.
This isn’t a team content with just making noise in the East. They’re aiming for something bigger.
Let’s not forget: James Harden wanted to be in Cleveland. He waived his partial no-trade clause to make the move happen.
That’s not a small gesture. That’s a veteran star looking at the roster, the culture, and the opportunity - and saying, “Yeah, I’m in.”
And Donovan Mitchell? He’s all-in too. He’s been vocal about his excitement to play alongside Harden, and now, if the reports are accurate, he’s ready to lead the charge in bringing LeBron back into the fold.
Of course, before we start drawing up jersey mockups or planning welcome-back tributes, we’ll need to see how this current group performs on the floor. Chemistry matters.
Fit matters. And if Mitchell and Harden click the way the Cavs hope they will, it only strengthens their pitch to James - not just emotionally, but competitively.
Bottom line: Cleveland’s not just dreaming big - they’re acting on it. And if LeBron’s watching, he’s seeing a team that’s not waiting around for greatness. They’re going after it.