You must be living under a rock if you haven’t heard at least one rumor about a potential LeBron James trade, or specifically a reunion with the Cleveland Cavaliers. For the first time in his storied 22-year NBA career, the king doesn’t appear to be locked into the team he’s currently on. The Los Angeles Lakers made the stunning move to deal his teammate and close friend, Anthony Davis, to the Dallas Mavericks last season for Luka Doncic.
Cavaliers Unsure About Potential LeBron James Reunion originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
You must be living under a rock if you haven’t heard at least one rumor about a potential LeBron James trade, or specifically a reunion with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
For the first time in his storied 22-year NBA career, the king doesn’t appear to be locked into the team he’s currently on.
The Los Angeles Lakers made the stunning move to deal his teammate and close friend, Anthony Davis, to the Dallas Mavericks last season for Luka Doncic.
Not only did the Lakers’ brass complete the deal without informing James, but they also now appear to be disregarding his wishes and catering to Doncic.
This betrayal has led to a nasty media war between James and the Lakers, and the growing sense over the last few weeks is that he could ask out to spend his final years in a more suitable location.
The Cavaliers have repeatedly come up as a landing spot in hypothetical trades, but the latest report from a trusted NBA insider dampened the flames just a bit.
Independent NBA reporter Marc Stein reported that a return to Cleveland would be a fairy tale ending for James, but it’s unclear if the Cavs would be willing to take him back.
"I believe that a third stint with the Cavaliers would be the closest thing to a storybook ending should James indeed decide that he wants to play on in 2026-27, but it's unclear how open Cleveland would actually be to such a reunion." - @TheSteinLinepic.twitter.com/7y6umK6NRz
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 27, 2025
The four-time champion brought respectability back to the team in 2016 when he helped deliver them their first title, but he has burned them in free agency twice now.
Combine that with the fact that Cleveland has little cap space left, and they are faced with a historically tough decision.
Do they bring James back to ascend to contender status and have one last dance?
Or do they forge ahead on the challenging, confusing and potentially hopeless path they’re currently on, while the king stages his ceremonious exit elsewhere?
Related: LeBron James Fuels Rumors About Cavs Reunion Amid Lakers Trade Talk
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
