The NBA offseason rumor mill is already heating up, and this one’s got serious weight behind it: Donovan Mitchell and James Harden are reportedly gearing up to recruit LeBron James back to Cleveland this summer. Yes, that LeBron.
The King. The hometown hero who delivered the Cavaliers their first and only NBA championship.
And if he decides not to hang it up just yet, the Cavs are expected to make a real push to bring him home.
LeBron is set to become an unrestricted free agent for the first time since 2018. That opens the door for a potential reunion with the franchise where he first became a superstar and later fulfilled his promise of delivering a title to Northeast Ohio. According to sources, Cleveland is preparing to go all-in if James chooses to keep playing.
The landscape in Cleveland has shifted in a big way. The Cavaliers swung a blockbuster trade with the Clippers, sending Darius Garland and a second-round pick to Los Angeles in exchange for former MVP James Harden.
That move instantly changed the Cavs’ trajectory-and their ceiling. Harden and Mitchell, both All-Star guards with deep ties to LeBron, are reportedly confident this team can compete for a championship now.
But they’re not stopping there.
Even if Cleveland makes a deep playoff run-or wins it all-Mitchell and Harden are still expected to make their pitch to James this summer. Because in today’s NBA, one ring isn’t enough. Superstars chase dynasties, and few players understand that better than LeBron.
Financially, the Cavs are in a position to make things work. Harden is earning $39.4 million this season, with only $13.3 million of his $42.3 million salary for next year guaranteed. That flexibility gives Cleveland room to negotiate a new deal with the 2018 MVP this offseason, and sources say that’s the plan.
Mitchell, meanwhile, is locked in with a $46.4 million salary this season and $50.1 million due next year. He also holds a player option worth $53.8 million for the 2027-28 season. That type of financial commitment shows Cleveland is building around him for the long haul.
But Mitchell’s postseason résumé still has a gap. Despite his explosive scoring and All-Star pedigree, he’s never made it past the second round-either with the Jazz or the Cavaliers.
That’s where a player like LeBron could be the missing piece. His leadership, playoff savvy, and ability to elevate a team in high-stakes moments are exactly what Cleveland’s young core could use.
Let’s not forget: the last time LeBron wore a Cavs jersey in the Finals was 2018, when Cleveland was swept by the Warriors. That summer, he took his talents to Los Angeles, where he led the Lakers to the 2020 championship in the Orlando bubble. Since then, he’s kept the Lakers relevant, but recent reports suggest his relationship with the franchise-particularly with team governor Jeanie Buss-has grown strained.
If that tension leads to a breakup, the Cavaliers are waiting with open arms.
Add LeBron to a roster that already features Mitchell, Harden, and rising star Evan Mobley, and suddenly you’ve got a team that can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the league. It’s a scenario that would’ve seemed far-fetched a year ago, but now? It’s very much in play.
So while retirement is still on the table for LeBron, don’t be surprised if he opts for one more chapter in Cleveland. For the Cavs, the door is wide open-and the King might just walk through it one last time.