The Cavaliers may already be thinking one step ahead if LeBron James decides to come home.
According to the Stein Line’s Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, Cleveland is viewed as the leading candidate to land James if he becomes available this summer. The reporting points to a growing sense around the league that the 41-year-old finishing his career with the team that drafted him is becoming the scenario others have to beat.
“There is growing belief among teams competing for James’ signature that the lure of the 41-year-old playing out his final chapter with the team that drafted him - compared to, say, early favorites Golden State (Warriors) - is looking more and more like the scenario to beat,” Stein and Fischer wrote Saturday.
If that reunion happens, the Cavaliers could also move to make room for another James family storyline. Stein and Fischer reported that Cleveland would want flexibility to pursue a trade for Bronny James, the 21-year-old Lakers project, if LeBron signs with the team.
“They want to make sure that they have open roster spots to be able to trade for the Lakers’ Bronny James in the event that they are able to welcome Dad back as a free agent signee,” the two insiders noted.
Bronny’s fit in Cleveland would be more about the family connection than an immediate on-court impact. He’s still trying to establish himself as a reliable rotation player, so he likely wouldn’t have a major role with a 2026-27 Cavaliers team.
Even so, the idea of Bronny joining LeBron in the next stage of his career is easy to understand. James has long wanted to help the organization that took him No. 1 overall in 2003 chase another championship, and he also wants to keep playing alongside his son.
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