New LeBron James Rumors on Potential Cavs Reunion, Lakers Exit After James Harden Trade

After trading for James Harden on Tuesday, the Cleveland Cavaliers could be positioning themselves to have a big three during the 2026-27 season with Donovan Mitchell and LeBron James.

Per The Athletic's Joe Vardon and Jason Lloyd, the Cavs are considered "an obvious destination" for James if he decides to play next season and leaves the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency.

"His salary would not be close to the $52.6 million he's earning now in Los Angeles, but at age 41 he is aware of the market realities facing him if he extends his career," Vardon and Lloyd wrote.

ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported on Tuesday that James is expected to finish out the remainder of this season with the Lakers. He has a full no-trade clause and would need to approve any potential trade even if the Lakers tried to move him.

Prior to a Lakers-Cavs game in Cleveland on Jan. 28, McMenamin reported the Cavaliers "would gladly" welcome James back if he decided to play next season and wanted to sign with them.

There has been no definitive word from James about playing a 24th NBA season. He has teased retirement a few times, including saying that last week's game against the Cavs "very well could be" his last time playing in Cleveland, but no clear indication one way or another.

The Cavaliers made a bold move on Tuesday by swapping Darius Garland and a second-round draft pick to the Los Angeles Clippers for Harden.

Cleveland remains in the second apron based on projections for next season, so the front office will have to cut payroll either prior to the trade deadline on Thursday or in the offseason before trying to add anyone to the roster.

A roster with James, Mitchell, Harden, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen would be a good starting point for a team trying to win a championship. It will be interesting to see what the Cavs want to do with Keon Ellis, who was also acquired this week in a separate three-team deal with the Sacramento Kings and Chicago Bulls.

Ellis will become a free agent this offseason. He isn't much of an offensive factor, but the Cavs need his size and defensive versatility to offset some of the issues Harden and Mitchell have stopping opposing players.

James isn't an impact defensive player at this point in his career, but he's still savvy enough on offense to be a difference-maker. The 41-year-old is averaging 22.0 points, 6.6 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game in 32 starts for the Lakers this season.

A lot of Cleveland's offseason moves will likely be determined by how things go in the postseason after a disappointing playoff run coming off a 64-win campaign last season.