LeBron James back to the Cleveland Cavaliers? Here's an NBA trade idea to make it happen.
A three-team NBA trade idea sending LeBron James back to the Cleveland Cavaliers has been created.
NBA writer Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report created the following blockbuster trade idea between the Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz:
Cavaliers get: LeBron James, Bronny James, Adou Thiero
Lakers get: Lauri Markkanen, Jarrett Allen
Jazz get: De'Andre Hunter, Max Strus, Sam Merrill, Lonzo Ball, Gabe Vincent, 2027 first-round pick (via Lakers, removing 1-4 protection to make unprotected), 2031 first-round pick (via Lakers, top-4 protected)
The Lakers are Luka Doncic's team now and ESPN just reported that Jeanie Buss may not be happy with James. With that said, it makes sense for James to waive his no-trade clause and request a trade home.
This NBA trade idea would give the Cavaliers a "Big 4" of James, Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley. Yes, James (41) is the oldest active player in the league, but he's not your average old guy. He's still putting up stellar numbers.
The leading scorer in NBA history, James is averaging 22.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game this season for the Lakers. The Akron native is shooting 50.7% from the field, 32.8% from 3 and 74.5% from the free-throw line.
James becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason. He could retire after this season. Lakers fans don't appreciate James and his greatness because they are all Kobe Bryant stans. James deserves to retire somewhere where he's appreciated and celebrated.
Enter the Cavaliers, who would be title contenders with James, Mitchell, Garland and Mobley leading the way. Imagine James winning his fifth championship and second ring with Cleveland and then riding off into the sunset. It would be quite the storybook ending for The King.
The 2026 NBA trade deadline is February 5 at 3 p.m. ET. The odds of James requesting a trade from the Lakers are very, very low. However, after the Dallas Mavericks traded Doncic to Los Angeles, you can never rule anything out in the NBA anymore.
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