NBA Reporter Thinks It’s ‘Almost a Guarantee’ LeBron James Returns to Cleveland Cavaliers if Cavs Don’t Reach 2026 NBA Finals

One NBA reporter thinks it’s “almost a guarantee” LeBron James returns to the Cleveland Cavaliers if the Cavs don’t reach the NBA Finals next season.

James, currently a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, becomes an unrestricted free agent next offseason for the first time since 2018.

“If the Cavs don’t get past the Eastern Conference finals next year in the 2025-2026 season, I think it’s almost a guarantee that LeBron James comes back to Cleveland for the 2026-2027 year,” Ethan Sands of Cleveland.com said on the Wine and Gold Talk podcast.

James has played for the Cavaliers twice (2003-10, 2014-18). He’s the best player in franchise history and will get his No. 23 jersey retired by the organization one day. The NBA legend guided Cleveland to its only championship in 2016 against the 73-9 Golden State Warriors.

A four-time MVP, James turns 41 in December. He’s the oldest active player in the NBA. It’s unknown if the Akron native plans to play in 2026-27, but if he does, one NBA executive expects the Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors to pursue him.

“Cleveland, Dallas and Golden State, those are the three teams I’m looking at,” an NBA executive told DallasHoopsJournal. “All three would have loved to trade for him this offseason, but he never requested a trade and he makes way too much money. Once he’s on the open market, those three will court him. I have no doubt in my mind.”

A four-time champion, James has played for the Cavaliers (twice), Miami Heat and Lakers. He enters next season with career averages of 27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks. The four-time Finals MVP is the only player in NBA history to rank top five all-time in points and assists.

It will be intriguing to see if James retires after next season or chooses to play in 2026-27. The basketball icon has been in the NBA since 2003. He averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.6 blocks for the Lakers last season.