If LeBron James decides to lace ‘em up for a 24th NBA season, don’t rule out a return to where it all began. According to reports, the Cleveland Cavaliers are very much in play as a potential landing spot for the league’s all-time leading scorer-if he chooses to keep going.
James is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, the first time he’ll hit the open market since he left Cleveland for Los Angeles back in 2018. And while retirement is still on the table for the 41-year-old, sources close to the situation say a third stint with the Cavaliers could be a real possibility.
Cleveland has already made a bold move, trading Darius Garland to the Clippers in exchange for James Harden. And here’s where things get interesting: LeBron already has a strong rapport with both Harden and Donovan Mitchell. That trio, on paper, could be a fascinating blend of experience, playmaking, and scoring punch-especially in the wide-open Eastern Conference.
Now, let’s be clear: if James does return to the Cavs, it won’t be for the $52.6 million he’s currently earning in Los Angeles. At this stage in his career, he understands the financial realities.
But this isn’t about chasing a max contract. It’s about legacy, fit, and maybe, just maybe, a chance to write the final chapter of one of the greatest careers in NBA history back where it all started.
LeBron’s history with Cleveland is already the stuff of legend. He’s the franchise’s all-time leader in just about everything that matters, and his No. 23 jersey is a lock to hang in the rafters one day.
His crowning achievement? Leading the Cavaliers to their only NBA title in 2016-coming back from a 3-1 deficit to take down the 73-win Golden State Warriors.
That moment didn’t just define his career-it changed the city’s sports history forever.
At 41, James remains the oldest active player in the league, but he’s still producing at a level that defies the usual aging curve. He hasn’t announced his plans for next season yet, and while he’s expected to finish this campaign with the Lakers, his future in L.A. is far from certain. There have been reports of tension between James and Lakers acting governor Jeanie Buss, adding another wrinkle to the offseason ahead.
So, what’s next for LeBron? Retirement?
A farewell tour in Los Angeles? Or one last ride in Cleveland, where it all began?
If he does choose to return to the Cavs, it wouldn’t just be a homecoming-it’d be a full-circle moment for a player who’s already done the impossible more than once. And for Cleveland fans, the thought of one more run with the King in Wine and Gold?
That’s the kind of story you don’t need to script. It writes itself.