The Cleveland Cavaliers aren't ruling out the possibility of bringing back a franchise legend, but there's a catch.
The Cleveland Cavaliers’ end to the 2024-25 campaign was highly disappointing, to say the least.
The organization secured 64 regular-season wins and entered the postseason with the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
However, the Cavaliers were upset by Tyrese Haliburton and the fourth-seeded Indiana Pacers in the second round of the playoffs.
Although Cleveland could make a deeper playoff run in 2026 without making a significant offseason addition, there’s a particular move the organization is considering.
According to Hoops Wire’s Sam Amico, the franchise is reportedly interested in reuniting with a disgruntled Los Angeles Lakers star under one condition.
"The Cavaliers could benefit from adding James, who made the All-NBA Second Team and finished sixth in MVP voting last season,” Amico wrote last Friday. “However, Cleveland can’t feasibly trade for James since the future Hall of Famer will make too much money ($52.6 million) next season.”
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“Sources said that Cleveland is only interested in James in a buyout situation. And why wouldn’t they be?”
“James is still an elite player despite being the oldest guy in the NBA. He averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists last season while shooting 51.3% from the field, 37.6% from beyond the arc, and 78.2% from the free-throw line.”
“If — and it’s a huge if — James and the Lakers agree to a buyout, LeBron would become an unrestricted free agent and free to sign with any team of his choice.”
ClutchPoints’ Anthony Irwin recently reported that James is frustrated with the Lakers’ lack of direction since the Russell Westbrook trade.
Irwin’s report came days after ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst published an article detailing the friction between James and the Lakers.
The four-time NBA champion has every right to feel disrespected after the Lakers excluded him from a pivotal offseason meeting and failed to mention the Buss family had their sights set on selling the franchise for a record-setting $10 billion.
The idea of James exiting his chaotic situation in Los Angeles and finishing his career with the franchise that believed in him from the jump is alluring.
The former lottery pick guided Cleveland to its first-ever championship in 2016 after leaving the organization in 2010 to join the Miami Heat for four seasons.
Considering the Cavaliers were legitimate title contenders without James last season, it’s reasonable to assume they would be in the thick of things in the Eastern Conference with the 40-year-old forward in the fold.
If a buyout materializes, expect Cleveland to contact James immediately in an attempt to orchestrate a storybook reunion.
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Category: Basketball
