With NBA free agency set to begin June 30 and speculation continuing to surround LeBron James’ future, Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett has become the latest former star to publicly endorse a final return to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Speaking on the latest episode of KG: Certified, Garnett explained why he believes James should finish his career with the franchise that drafted him in 2003.
“If I’m Bron, I go back to Cleveland,” Garnett said.
“Him going back to Cleveland not only gives Bronny some open leverage and open opportunity for him, but it’s for him to establish him in a place where he can start to grow what he’s doing. I think what he’s going to do is going to actually affect Bronny and everything after him. If he doing a farewell tour and this is his last hurrah, I would like to see him in Cleveland.”
James has not announced whether he intends to return for a 24th NBA season following the Los Angeles Lakers’ playoff exit. Multiple reports have indicated Los Angeles remains the favorite to retain him if he continues playing, although the Golden State Warriors have also been mentioned as a possible suitor.
Garnett believes James has reached a point in his career where financial considerations no longer need to be the deciding factor.
“At this point, when you’re at the end like this, this is when you can get creative,” Garnett said.
“I’d like to see him in Cleveland.”
Kevin Garnett wants LeBron James to return to the Cavs for his final season 🗣️
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— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 25, 2026
“This is when you can go to Dan Gilbert and you can say, ‘yeah, you ain’t gotta pay me like this but let’s talk like this.’ So much other different s**t that you can actually entertain at this point.”
Kevin Garnett explains why Cavaliers should welcome LeBron James back
A third stint in Cleveland would represent a full-circle ending for James’ career. He spent his first seven NBA seasons with the Cavaliers before leaving for the Miami Heat in 2010. James returned in 2014 and led Cleveland to four straight NBA Finals appearances, highlighted by the franchise’s first championship in 2016 after overcoming a 3-1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors.
Garnett also argued that James’ impact on Cleveland extends well beyond basketball.
“You don’t know how many people that are eager in Cleveland to have LeBron back,” Garnett said.
“Y’all gotta remember when Bron is back in Cleveland… the economy goes up when Bron is back. Everybody made money when Bron was there.”
He continued by describing the broader economic boost he believes James brings to the city.
“Listen, you go through that it’s a ghost town. When Bron is there, man they got six, seven new restaurants. They got this over there. They got lounges, bro. The f**king casino right there. They getting every home game sold out, bro.”
While Garnett’s vision of a Cleveland homecoming remains speculative, it adds to a growing list of former players advocating for James to conclude his career where it began.
For now, James’ future remains undecided. His agent, Rich Paul, has said the decision will be made after discussions with James and his family, leaving the Lakers, Cavaliers and other interested teams waiting for clarity as free agency approaches.