The Cleveland Cavaliers are one of the best teams in the NBA, and constant turmoil out west could bring LeBron James back home for one more shot at the Finals.
At 40 years old, the Kid from Akron is entering the twilight of his career. With more than two decades of NBA experience, many hope to see him end his historic run on top again with a final championship run. His hometown team in Cleveland is eyed as the premier destination for that retirement tour, but the pathways to acquire James are limited at best. After accepting his $52.6 million player option with the Los Angeles Lakers this summer, the Cavs' only opportunity to land another year or two with LeBron would have to be next offseason.
In the second apron, the Cavaliers' trade options are so heavily restricted that a James trade is nearly impossible. Even next offseason, adding James for anything above the veteran minimum - which is highly unlikely - would require tearing down the current core and much of the supporting cast. These deterrents have not stopped media members from speculating, especially as James' relationship with the Lakers remains in flux.
Most recently, long-time ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith weighed in, offering a passionate plea for James to return in his well-known, emotional style. Smith expressed his belief that LeBron's best, and possibly only, chance to win his fifth ring would be going back to where it all started.
"He'd have a better chance to winning the championship in Cleveland than he would in L.A."@stephenasmith feels LeBron should end his career in Cleveland 👀 pic.twitter.com/bUmtsDNJmI
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 8, 2025
Smith's argument centers around Los Angeles' continued struggles to win with James since their 2020 victory in the famed NBA Bubble season. Since then, the Cavaliers have steadily risen to become a titan in the Eastern Conference with the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Evan Mobley. In contrast, the Lakers have hardly maintained relevance as a contender and are now shifting their priorities to the future with Luka Doncic rather than the present with James.
Finding that route to Cleveland, though, is almost inconceivable. The Cavs have shown rumored interest in a reunion next year, but it does not make the path any easier. Tearing apart the present roster would only become a real conversation if another embarrassing season's end comes to fruition.
Cleveland's interest in LeBron should depend on the 2026 Playoffs
The Cavaliers, despite routine playoff failures, have refused to part ways with any of the core four since the inception in 2022. Donovan Mitchell and Mobley have been the only two members who have consistently elevated their play during the postseason. Meanwhile, Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen are less dependable and often question marks for their impact.
Garland's playoff durability came into question this year after a relatively healthy regular season was derailed by a toe sprain heading into the first round. It marked the third consecutive season in which Garland faced an untimely and rare injury. Missing a star point guard, Cleveland's offense can often slow to a halt. Even with the addition of Lonzo Ball, Garland's presence is needed in the postseason.
If the Cavaliers cannot break through the second round and face another bout of injury woes and disappearing stars, a second LeBron reunion suddenly becomes much more reasonable. Depending on how poorly the Cavs' season ends, a reunion may even be expected rather than just rumored.
Cleveland has invested far too much into this generation of Cavs basketball not to chase the ultimate prize at any cost. If the core four cannot find the right recipe for playoff success, bringing in the one legend who has proven to be capable of leading this team to the Finals, then it is probably time to bring him home.
Otherwise, making it to the Finals - or winning it - probably leaves the Cavaliers with less incentive to shake up the team. As Mobley continues to ascend into stardom alongside Mitchell, Garland and Allen may naturally fall into complementary roles as the definitive third and fourth options. If cohesion and consistency brings Cleveland to the promised land, a farewell tour with James would only derail that momentum.