NBA Insider Believes LeBron James Leaving Los Angeles Lakers for Cleveland Cavaliers ‘Would Be the Closest Thing to a Storybook Ending’

Hall of Fame NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line believes LeBron James leaving the Los Angeles Lakers for the Cleveland Cavaliers “would be the closest thing to a storybook ending.”

LeBron has played for his hometown Cavaliers twice. He’s the best player in Cleveland franchise history and will get his No. 23 jersey retired by the organization one day.

The leading scorer in NBA history, LeBron was born and raised in Akron, Ohio.

“I believe that a third stint with the Cavaliers would be the closest thing to a storybook ending should LeBron James indeed decide that he wants to play on in 2026-27, but it’s unclear how open Cleveland would actually be to such a reunion,” Stein wrote. “Before last season’s second-round flameout, I was pretty sure that the Cavaliers did not want anything to do with a third act, remembering how the two previous runs — spanning seven seasons and then four seasons — forced Planet Cavs to revolve completely around James.

“Now? The Cavaliers couldn’t trade for James even if they wanted to, since their luxury tax bill has them stuck in the second apron, but I do wonder if they have warmed to the idea of another reunion should it ever become possible via offseason free agency.”

LeBron will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2026 for the first time since 2018. The last time the NBA icon was a free agent, he left the Cavaliers for the Lakers.

A four-time champion, LeBron holds 35 franchise records for the Cavaliers. He guided Cleveland to its only NBA title in 2016 against the 73-9 Golden State Warriors.

One of the best — if not the best — players in NBA history, LeBron turns 41 in December. He’s the oldest active player in the league, but you wouldn’t know that from watching him play. King James made the All-NBA Second Team and finished sixth in MVP voting last season.

It will be fascinating to see if LeBron plays for the Cavaliers one more time before retiring.