NBA sources NBC Sports has spoken with expect LeBron James to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
James has played for the Cavaliers twice (2003-10, 2014-18). He’s the best player in franchise history and was born and raised in Akron, Ohio.
James won two MVPs and one Finals MVP and made 10 All-Star teams and 10 All-NBA teams with his hometown club.
The Cavaliers beat the 73-9 Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals in seven games. The 2015-16 Cleveland squad is the only team in NBA history to erase a 3-1 series deficit in the NBA Finals.
Cleveland made the Eastern Conference Finals last season for the first time since 2018. The New York Knicks swept the Cavaliers, who want to pair James with Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
Harden, currently a free agent like James, is expected to re-sign with Cleveland once James picks his next team, sources told Dallas Hoops Journal.
James is a four-time MVP (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013), four-time champion (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020) and four-time Finals MVP. The future Hall of Famer is the all-time leader in points, field goals, minutes and games. Many individuals consider James to be the greatest player in NBA history.
The Cavaliers can pay James around $3 million per year. Money is not a factor for James, who is a billionaire, sources told Dallas Hoops Journal.
Cleveland assistant general manager Brandon Weems was with James a few weekends ago in Ohio. Weems is one of James’ closest friends.
“Let me talk to you about Brandon Weems,” James’ agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, said on his podcast. “Brandon Weems is basically LeBron’s brother. Now, he worked his own way [up], nobody gave him anything. He’s earned to be in the front office of the Cavs. But that is a big feather in the cap [for Cleveland], because of Brandon Weems.”
James holds career averages of 26.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game in the regular season and 28.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game in the playoffs with the Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers.
A 22-time All-Star, James averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game for the Lakers last season. The King then put up 23.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game in the 2026 playoffs in 10 games against the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder.
The 41-year-old, who turns 42 in December, remains an elite performer despite being the oldest active player in the NBA.
James began his NBA career with the Cavaliers all the way back in 2003. He will get his No. 23 jersey retired by the franchise one day. It makes all the sense in the world for James to finish his legendary career in Cleveland.
Along with the Cavaliers, James has been linked to the Heat, Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets.
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