Donovan Mitchell Reacts to LeBron James Rumors About Potential Cavs Return Before NBA Retirement

Donovan Mitchell said it would be "special" to get the chance to play with LeBron James if the Los Angeles Lakers star returns to Cleveland next season.

"As a Bron fan, to be able to be a teammate, obviously that would be special," Mitchell said Saturday during an interview with SiriusXM NBA Radio.

The question came the day after ESPN's Tim MacMahon said on a Friday episode of NBA Today there is talk around the NBA that James is considering making a return to the Cavs next season.

"I know what the rampant speculation is around the league," MacMahon said Friday. "This summer, there's gonna be a reunion and potentially a retirement tour for the ages back home again with the Cleveland Cavaliers next year."

Mitchell said Saturday there are "always going to be reports," but that he wanted to focus on the 2025-26 Cavaliers rather than what might happen this offseason.

"Yeah, man, it's LeBron James. But at the end of the day, that's not my focus," Mitchell said Saturday. "I'm not here to worry about that. I know I'm going to get asked about that a bunch all weekend.

"But my focus is, we just traded for James Harden, Dennis Schröder, Keon Ellis. Let's try to find a way to get a ring."

James played 11 seasons over two separate stints in Cleveland, including a 2015-16 campaign during which he, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love led the franchise to its first title.

Mitchell is now hoping to make a run for a second championship after loading up at the deadline amid a hot stretch going into the All-Star Break. The Cavs are 10-1 since Jan. 21, including three straight wins since Harden joined the lineup on Feb. 7.