The Cleveland Cavaliers should always welcome LeBron James with open arms.
Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean they would do anything to get him back.
He has left the team twice, and multiple reports indicate that his relationship with the front office isn’t necessarily great.
That, plus the potential steep asking price, leads ESPN insider Brian Windhorst to believe that the Cavs wouldn’t trade for him if the chance arose.
However, if James were willing to sign for the veteran minimum, they would do that in the blink of an eye.
“At the veteran minimum? Yes,” Windhorst said, via ESPN Cleveland. “I think I can speak for the Cavs organization and say that if LeBron wanted to play for $3 million, they would do that contract. I can speak for Dan Gilbert. I will speak for Gordon Gund. I will speak for the ghost of Bingo Smith. What do you want me to say?”
"Yes, I think I can speak for the Cavs organization to say that if LeBron wanted to play at $3 million they would do that contract," – @WindhorstESPN on the Cavs interest in LeBron if he got bought out 🧐 https://t.co/aL2Zgzdfdd pic.twitter.com/cDNURhz1il
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) July 8, 2025
James has a no-trade clause in his contract, so he could force his way back to Cleveland if he wanted.
The Cavs, on the other hand, might not be interested in giving up core players for a one-year rental, not even for the greatest player in franchise history.
James is a billionaire, so if he wanted to play for the Cavs, money likely would not be an issue.
Yet, he chose to pick up his player option to return to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Of course, he’s entitled to that money, and no one can judge him based on his financial decisions.
Then again, James had multiple avenues to return to the Cavs if that had been his plan.
As such, fans simply cannot and should not blame the front office that another reunion hasn’t happened.
NEXT: Brian Windhorst Clears The Air About Cavs, Lakers Trade Rumors
