While the 2026 free agency of LeBron James won’t be as seismic as his prior editions in 2010, 2014 and 2018, it could have a sense of familiarity to it if he returns to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a third stint with the franchise that drafted him first overall in 2003. James left the Cavaliers in 2010, returned in 2014 and left to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018.
The Cavaliers and James are believed to have some level of mutual interest in joining forces again this offseason. Cleveland has a potential title contender with a core of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, James Harden and Jarrett Allen, which could allow James to slide into the small forward position.
“I don’t know if LeBron knows what he’s going to do,” said ESPN’s Tim MacMahon on NBA Today. “I certainly don’t know what he’s going to do. I know what the rampant speculation is around the league and that is this summer there’s going to be a reunion and potentially a retirement tour for the ages back home again with the Cleveland Cavaliers next year.”
James became the oldest player in NBA history to record a triple-double in Thursday’s win by the Los Angeles Lakers over the Dallas Mavericks. James had 28 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds. Postgame, James talked about how he approaches this stage of his career.
“My game is not going anywhere,” James said. “It’s just my body. It’s so many more factors that come with how long will I play the game. I don’t think my game will ever suffer if I decided to continue to go, however long that is. I just think it has to be [my mind]: How long can I stay in love with the process?
“Because that’s always been my thing. If I can’t continue to stay in love with the process, then if [my mental commitment] goes, then my body’s going to go. And once my body goes, then it’s a wrap. Then the love goes, and then the fun and all that stuff goes. So that’s what it is. It’s not my game is deteriorating.”
James, who is represented by Rich Paul, is averaging 22.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists in 33.3 minutes across 36 games this season. James has been most strongly linked with the Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors should he exit the Lakers in the offseason, but there are reportedly two other mystery teams where there could be mutual interest.