James Harden believes LeBron James’ profession ought to finish the place it started, saying a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers would offer the best ultimate chapter for the NBA’s all-time main scorer.
Talking about James’ ongoing free company, Harden made his choice clear: “It’s an ideal storybook end. He’s at house for his final 12 months.”
The feedback come as James stays the most important identify accessible in the marketplace after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers. A number of groups have been linked to the 41-year-old, together with the Miami Warmth, Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors. ESPN’s Shams Charania just lately reported that Cleveland, Miami and Philadelphia are among the leading contenders, while Golden State has fallen behind as its pursuit of further star expertise has stalled.
A Cavaliers reunion would reunite James with the franchise the place he spent 11 seasons throughout two stints and delivered Cleveland’s first NBA championship in 2016. It will additionally place him on a roster that already options Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and Harden himself.
The Cavaliers enter the 2026-27 season with championship aspirations after ending 52-30 final season, good for fourth place within the Japanese Convention. They superior to the Japanese Convention Finals earlier than being swept by the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks.
Cleveland’s entrance workplace has spent the offseason reinforcing its win-now strategy. The group finalized a long-term supermax extension with Mitchell on July 8, guaranteeing its All-Star guard stays underneath contract for years to come back alongside Mobley. The Cavaliers also added second-round pick Meleek Thomas after buying and selling down from the twenty ninth total choice and exercised Craig Porter Jr.’s team option to keep up backcourt depth.
The potential addition of James would dramatically elevate an already achieved roster. Even getting into his twenty fourth NBA season, James stays one of many league’s premier playmakers and will ease the offensive burden on Mitchell whereas offering one other veteran chief for a staff in search of its first Finals look since 2018.
Harden’s endorsement additionally displays the emotional significance of a doable homecoming. James was chosen first total by Cleveland within the 2003 NBA Draft, gained two MVP awards throughout his preliminary stint, returned in 2014 after 4 seasons with the Warmth and led the Cavaliers to their historic championship by overcoming a 3-1 deficit towards the Golden State Warriors within the 2016 NBA Finals.
Whereas hypothesis continues round James’ subsequent vacation spot, Cleveland seems nicely positioned from each a basketball and narrative standpoint. The Cavaliers already possess a longtime core, just lately dedicated long-term to Mitchell, and have remained firmly within the dialog all through James’ free company.
