Much has been made about LeBron James’ potential return to the Cleveland Cavaliers this summer, and that’s because, more than other possible landing spots, the Cavs make a lot of sense for James.
At age 41, James is the oldest player in the NBA, and he has broken or will soon break some of the most significant records in league history. He has effectively nothing to prove, but still, if James does want to add a fifth championship to his resume, Cleveland is one of the best places to do it, not even accounting for the sentimental reasons.
“It’s the cleanest fit,” an Eastern Conference executive said, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin and Tim Bontemps.
“I always thought it made the most sense for him to go back home,” a Western Conference scout said.
McMenamin and Bontemps also said there “would even be a way for James to make significant money,” a point of interest considering James’ past comments about never again taking a significant pay cut. The way, the reporters detailed, was a sign-and-trade between the Cavs and the Los Angeles Lakers involving James and Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen, whose three-year, $90.7 million contract extension is set to kick in next season. Allen will make $28 million in 2026-27 and $30.2 million and $32.5 million each of the next two years, respectively.
James, who played the first seven seasons of his NBA career and won a title in 2016 with the Cavaliers during a second, four-year stint, has earned nearly $600 million during his 23-year NBA career, including $52.6 million this season. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason at the expiration of the two-year, $101.4 million extension he signed with the Lakers in 2024.
In his record-breaking 23rd season, James is averaging 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists per game.