The entire basketball world is waiting on LeBron James to make his decision in NBA free agency.
Since it was announced that James would leave the Los Angeles Lakers, plenty of suitors have emerged, including his former team and first NBA home, the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Cleveland has yet to bring back James Harden because they are leaving flexibility to sign James and make other moves. Harden is expected to return, but it’s clear the Cavaliers’ primary goal right now is landing the hometown hero from Akron, and their chances of adding LeBron look very strong.
Brian Windhorst provides major update on LeBron James’ free agency
During his show “5 Good Minutes With Windy” on ESPN Cleveland radio, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said he believes James already knows where he will play in 2026, and the vibes are pointing to a return to Cleveland.
“Yes, he absolutely knows what he’s going to do,” Windhorst said when asked whether James knows his free agency decision.
“If you ask me, ‘Are the vibes pointing towards Cleveland?’ Yeah, the vibes are pointing towards Cleveland,” Windhorst added.
A reunion with the Cavs would be a fitting end to James’ NBA career. It’s unknown whether the 41-year-old will call it a career after the 2026 season, but it’s also safe to assume that the team he signs with will be his final stop as a professional basketball player.
Adding LeBron could make Cleveland the favorites in the Eastern Conference. The team already has a superstar guard in Donovan Mitchell, who just signed a massive four-year supermax extension, and a dominant defensive frontcourt in Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
With Harden also expected to return, the Cavs could easily have the best starting five in the sport if they sign James, who would slide into the small-forward position and provide elite playmaking and efficient scoring on the wing.
Obviously, with Mitchell, Harden, and James all being ball-dominant players, it’s fair to question how those three will fit together. However, there’s no denying their talent, and the trio has nearly 600 games of playoff experience.
Overall, James concluding his illustrious career in Cleveland would be a storybook ending, and joining the Cavs would also give the 22-time All-Star a legitimate shot at winning a fifth title.