Donovan Mitchell Declines to Discuss Possible LeBron James Comeback to Cleveland
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Guard Donovan Mitchell chose not to weigh in on speculation that LeBron James could rejoin the Cleveland Cavaliers, telling reporters on May 26, 2026, that the topic belongs to the team’s front office.
“That is not for me. I am not trying to get a headline. That’s a Koby Altman question, that’s a Mike Gansey question,” Mitchell said, referring to the Cavaliers’ president of basketball operations and general manager.
Their exchange came as James—an unrestricted free agent—decides whether to suit up for a 24th NBA season and, if so, where. Should the four-time champion decline a return to the Los Angeles Lakers, a third stint with his hometown Cavaliers remains a widely discussed option.
Cleveland advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals this spring for the first time since James’s last season there in 2018, but the team was swept by the New York Knicks. After four straight postseason exits, observers have pointed to James’s potential arrival as a possible catalyst for change.
Any reunion would require creative roster maneuvering. The Cavaliers have minimal salary-cap flexibility, and recent reports indicate James is unwilling to accept a substantial pay cut. A sign-and-trade arrangement—dependent on what the Lakers would seek in return—could be necessary.
Los Angeles has publicly expressed interest in retaining the 39-year-old forward. According to multiple reports, James wants clarity on the Lakers’ plans if they propose less than a maximum contract, including how any savings would be used and what role he would play under a new deal.
James’s decision is expected to headline the NBA offseason as teams prepare for free agency and next year’s title chase.
Source: Lakers Nation
