The Cleveland Cavaliers are entering a pivotal season, and the stakes may be even higher than they appear. According to a report from Cavaliers Nation, at least one NBA executive believes the franchise could pursue a reunion with LeBron James next summer, but only if they fall short of winning the title in 2026.
“I’ll tell you this right now: If the Cavaliers don’t win it all next season, I can see them going hard after LeBron,” the NBA executive told Cavaliers Nation. “Everyone knows Dan Gilbert wants to win a title without him, but if they can’t win the championship next season, adding LeBron to that group would be a cheat code. I know he’ll be 42, but it’s LeBron. He will always be an elite force.”
With a star-studded roster that won 64 games last season, the Cavaliers have big expectations for the 2025-26 campaign. Especially after losing in the second round this year, there is a lot of pressure for them to play up to their talent level and break the cycle of losing that has plagued them ever since LeBron’s departure.
“Next season is a big year for Cleveland,” the executive said. “Tyrese [Haliburton] is out. Jayson [Tatum] is most likely out. The East is wide open. It’s there for the Cavaliers to take. They should win the conference next season. There are no excuses. And once you get to the Finals, anything can happen. I actually think they match up really well against OKC.”
Thanks to Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen, the Cavaliers have an impressive rotation that can compete with the best teams in the league. While they didn’t make any major moves this summer, they are expected to improve from the inside out with another year of experience and further development of team chemistry.
Of course, as a bonus, their biggest competitors are already off the board. Between the injuries to Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum, the Cavaliers will essentially have a free path to the Finals, and if they fail to get there, the only option left will be bringing back their greatest player in franchise history.
While James is expected to play out next season with the Lakers, he’s not on great terms with the front office, and his contract is set to expire in the summer of 2026. Unless LeBron retires (unlikely because of Bryce), the ideal landing spot would be a return to the Cavs. Besides finishing his career where it began, LeBron would have a chance to go out as a champion on a team that’s primed to compete for a title.
It’s a dream scenario for both sides and a truly storybook way for LeBron to conclude his historic NBA tenure. Whether or not it happens remains to be seen, but it will likely depend on how this upcoming season plays out for the Cavaliers.
For now, the Cavaliers are focused on the present and determined to take advantage of a weakened Eastern Conference. But if they come up short once again, all options will be on the table, including a reunion with the greatest player in franchise history. Whether it’s for nostalgia, business, or one final ring chase, bringing LeBron James home could be the missing piece in Cleveland’s championship puzzle.
And for LeBron, there may be no better way to end his career than right where it all started.
