Ever since ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that LeBron James has exercised his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 NBA season, rumors of his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers have flooded headlines.
Fans and analysts alike are buzzing with speculation about where the NBA’s all-time leading scorer could land next in pursuit of his fifth championship. One dream scenario that has captured imaginations? A return to the Cleveland Cavaliers. And now a report from an NBA analyst has mapped out an intriguing path that could make that a reality.
Could a Three-Team Blockbuster Bring LeBron Home to Cleveland?
In a recent article, Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz proposed a blockbuster three-team deal that would shake up the NBA landscape. The potential trade would work like this:
- Cleveland Cavaliers receive: LeBron James, Bronny James
- Los Angeles Lakers receive: Darius Garland, De’Andre Hunter, Max Strus
- Brooklyn Nets receive: Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, 2031 first-round pick
“The Cavs get both LeBron and Bronny James, with the latter attractive to Cleveland given his affordable $1.9 million salary. That’s less than paying a veteran minimum contract to a player with even one year of service.”
On this day in 2014, LeBron James signed a 2-yr, $42.1M deal to return to the Cavs!
After 4 seasons in Miami, The King came home to finish what he started—and 2 years later, delivered the 2016 NBA title to The Land! #OhioSports #Cleveland pic.twitter.com/0SeatSSLS9
— Heartbeat0f0hioSports (@THB00S) July 22, 2025
“Cleveland also keeps three members of its core four (Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen) with players such as Lonzo Ball, Larry Nance Jr., Sam Merrill, Dean Wade, Jaylon Tyson, and others still on the roster,” wrote Swartz in his article.
This proposed deal not only brings James back to Cleveland but also reunites him with his son. While Bronny wouldn’t bring the same on-court impact as his legendary father right away, his presence alongside James would electrify Cavs games, drawing attention and ticket sales like never before.
Beyond the storylines, this trade would be a financial win for Cleveland. By moving the contracts of Garland, Hunter, and Strus, the Cavaliers could slash over $20 million in salary. More importantly, the team would dip below the NBA’s second tax apron, giving them more flexibility in roster building.
Why Would LeBron’s Cleveland Return Make Perfect Sense?
James’s legacy in Cleveland runs deeper than statistics. He carried the Cavs to their first-ever NBA Finals appearance in 2007 as just a 22-year-old. After a stint in Miami, he returned in 2014 with a promise to deliver the city its first championship in 2016. That moment still resonates deeply with Cleveland fans.
LeBron’s chasedown
Kyrie’s three
”CLEVELAND, THIS IS FOR YOU!”Four years ago, the Cavs won their first NBA title by overcoming a 3-1 series deficit and beating the Warriors in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. pic.twitter.com/Do0dqt1zMI
— ESPN (@espn) June 19, 2020
However, not everyone believes this reunion is realistic. A few days back, NBC Sports’ lead NBA writer Kurt Helin stated that the Cavaliers are more focused on their future than their past. According to him, the front office is committed to building around its young core and isn’t actively pursuing a trade for James.
“For example, a lot of fans tried to link him to a return to Cleveland (league sources told NBC Sports the Cavaliers are not that interested, but let’s use them as a hypothetical): With a third team, a deal can be made if it’s LeBron for Darius Garland and Max Strus.”
“Why would the Cavs do that, giving up young players and getting 15 years older (and arguably worse) in the short term to rent LeBron for a year or two. And trading LeBron to Cleveland is a lot less complicated than most other destinations,” wrote Helin in his report.
Meanwhile, James continues to produce at an elite level. This past season, he averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game. He helped guide the Lakers to a 50-32 record and a playoff berth, though their postseason journey was cut short with a first-round exit at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games.
Whether this blockbuster trade scenario by Swartz ever comes to fruition remains to be seen. But for Cleveland fans dreaming of one more championship run with their hometown hero, the possibility alone is enough to keep hope alive.
