The Cleveland Cavaliers would “gladly welcome” LeBron James back to the franchise this coming offseason, multiple team and league sources tell ESPN. James left the Cavaliers to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers after the 2017-18 season.
James is widely expected to exit the Lakers this offseason and would be in his third separate stint with the Cavaliers should he return. James was drafted by the Cavaliers in 2003 and then left to sign with the Miami Heat in 2010 before returning again in 2014. James led the Cavaliers to four straight Finals appearances in his four seasons back with the team from 2014 until 2018.
If James were to return he would be joining a team with Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley established as their franchise players. James would be play a more auxiliary role after he was the driving force behind nearly everything the Cavaliers did both on and off the court in his prior two stints.
James is on an expiring contract with the Lakers after the two sides didn’t engage on negotiations on a new deal during the 2025 offseason.
James has a PER of 21.1 in 28 games this season, which is lowest mark since his rookie season. James is averaging 22.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.7 assists in 33.4 minutes.