For fans dreaming about Los Angeles Lakers All-Star LeBron James’ return to the Cleveland Cavs, Iman Shumpert has a story from the 2016 NBA Finals that’ll put a smile on your face when you remember the historic 3-1 deficit. All-Star Donovan Mitchell has embraced a potential James return to the Cavs. Shumpert recalls how LeBron captivated his team amid the daunting task no team had faced before.
Before coming back from a 3-1 deficit to win the 2016 Finals, Shumpert said James’ message to his squad was probably the first time the Cavs believed they could beat the Warriors, he said, per Club Shay Shay with Shannon Sharpe.
“When Bron was on that bus, and he was talking and saying, “We beat them here. Then, their mindset is going to be” this, this, and this. And this is going to happen. Then, we’re going to come back. We’ll do this. Then, we’re going to come back here,” Shumpert said. “We’re going to be here for Game 7, and that’s when we send their a**** home.”
Iman Shumpert admits he initially thought LeBron James simulating the end of the Finals was easier said than done. But what James said planted a seed in his mind, and the rest of the Cavs players’ minds.
“We started getting quiet, and I seen everybody in their mind kind of just go, like, that s*** could happen, bro. But it was like, he’s right. When we beat them, they is going to do that. I wouldn’t want to win on the road again,” Shumpert added. “You’re like wow. You might be on to something. Then, Draymond got kicked out of the game. We played that Game 6, and they weren’t talking. That was the quietest game.”
LeBron’s message to the Cavs was the first time Iman Shumpert truly realized how much NBA Finals experience James had up to that point, given that his focus remained on Warriors coach Steve Kerr’s system rather than on the players themselves.
“Then, I start thinking about it. Ain’t nobody in our league been through this s*** more than this man right here. This man knows coaching styles now. We’re preparing for Golden State’s basketball team. This man’s talking to me about what Mark Jackson had them do, but now what Steve Kerr got them doing, and how we’re going to take advantage of this because this is what Steve Kerr’s principles are,” Shumpert said.
“I’m looking like n**** we’re playing Steph Curry. I’m guarding Klay Thompson. And you’re talking about Steve Kerr’s system? It’ll take you outside of yourself because you’re like, let me think harder about this because I clearly don’t know s***,” Shumpert concluded.
Iman Shumphert tells story of what LeBron told the team on the bus when down 3-1 to Golden Statepic.twitter.com/T4BPpDcnSR
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) February 25, 2026
Donovan Mitchell’s take on potential LeBron James, Cavs reunion
Brett Davis-Imagn Images
While Cavs All-Star Donovan Mitchell remains focused on winning a championship this season, he wouldn’t mind playing alongside the Lakers All-Star veteran. As LeBron James’ future with the Lakers remains unknown, the Cavs are reportedly an option.
Mitchell revealed his honest take on how he’d feel about becoming James’ teammate next season, per Sirius XM Radio.
“I’m big on believing what I control, but yeah, it’s LeBron James. But at the end of the day, that’s not my focus. I’m not here to worry about that. I know that I’m gonna get asked that a bunch all weekend, but my focus is, we just traded for James Harden, Dennis Schroder, and Keon Ellis — hey, let’s find a way to get a ring and go from there.”
"As a Bron fan, that would be special. But that’s not something that is in my control… At the end of the day… My main focus is trying to get this champion."
Donovan Mitchell on LeBron James possibly returning to the Cavs 🗣️
(via @SiriusXMNBA)pic.twitter.com/f4JMxNPrne
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 16, 2026
All eyes will be on the development of reports surrounding James during the offseason.