Cleveland Cavaliers superstar guard Donovan Mitchell doesn't believe Wednesday's matchup will mark LeBron James' final game in the city of Cleveland.
In a recent interview with ESPN, Mitchell shared that he doesn't expect the showdown between the Los Angeles Lakers and Cavaliers to be the last time James takes the floor in his hometown.
“I don’t think this is his last game (in CLE). I personally don’t think this is the end,” Mitchell said.
James, 41, is in his 23rd season in the league. The end is closer than it has ever been, and many have speculated that this could be his last season in the NBA. That has yet to be confirmed.
In a recent report by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, he shared that team and league sources indicated that the Cavaliers would “gladly welcome” James back to the team if he were to leave L.A.in free agency this summer.
"Multiple team and league sources told ESPN the Cavaliers would gladly welcome James back this summer if he wanted to return to Cleveland for his 24th NBA season and third stint with the team," he reported.
Is a LeBron James Reunion With the Cavaliers Still in Play?
Last summer, the rumors of a possible reunion between James and the Cavaliers dominated the headlines. In July 2025, it was reported that the Cavaliers were among the four teams that had reached out to James’ agent, Rich Paul, regarding the superstar and his availability.
James, of course, began his iconic career in Cleveland, spending his first seven seasons with the franchise before returning for a four-year run from 2014 to 2018. That second stint famously ended with the Cavaliers' historic 2016 championship, which still stands as the lone title in franchise history.
During his time in Cleveland, James delivered elite production across the board. In 849 games, he averaged 27.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 1.6 steals while shooting 49.2 percent from the field and 33.7 percent from beyond the arc, all while logging an astounding 39 minutes per game.
On the Fourth of July, he was spotted working out at the Cavaliers' practice facility, sparking speculation about a potential return home. However, James later clarified that he trains at the Cleveland facility every summer, downplaying any deeper meaning behind the appearance.
The Lakers are in the middle of their eight-game road trip and will look to win the fifth of their last six games after a dreadful stretch of basketball in the past few weeks. As for the Cavaliers, they sit with the fifth best record in the East at 28-20.
Newsweek