Fresh off an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers feel good about their current trajectory as a team. With plans to retain their core and run it back for another season, they are poised to be a major playoff threat in 2026-27, regardless of any further roster changes this summer.
That reality has put the Cavs firmly in the race for LeBron James this summer, and they arguably have the best case of all interested teams. Still, it didn’t stop Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell from making a public appeal to the King, where he explained all the reasons why he should come back home to Cleveland for his final chapter.
“I mean, it’s home. We’ve done it once; let’s do it again. Simple as that,” said Mitchell. “I don’t think I’ll cry [when he retires], but it would be great to be a part of that if it’s his last year.”
Donovan Mitchell has only been with the Cavs for four seasons, but he’s become their leading star since his arrival from Utah, and his words carry extra weight. So far, in 264 games for the team, he averages 26.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.4 blocks per game on 46.9% shooting from the field. Under his leadership, the Cavs have been a regular contender, but they have yet to advance past the Western Conference Finals.
That’s why, for Mitchell (who just signed a new extension in Cleveland), the chance to play with LeBron James is too good to ignore. As a basketball genius and one of the most naturally gifted athletes ever, LeBron’s impact is undeniable, and his mere presence alone is enough to raise a team’s ceiling. Regarding James, it’s not a matter of which team wants him, but rather what team he will choose among the long list that are vying for his services.
The Heat and 76ers are very compelling options, but the Cavaliers may have the strongest case, for all the reasons Mitchell laid out. It’s the place where LeBron’s career got started, and it’s where he first blossomed into a star. Even before all that, Ohio has always been home for LeBron, who famously grew up in Akron. Going back there for the third and final time would be the ultimate storybook ending.
If we’re talking purely from a basketball standpoint, LeBron already has a history of success on the Cavs, highlighted by his 2016 title over the 73-win Warriors. This Cavs team could be even better than that group with the combined efforts of LeBron, Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. Clearly, they are stacked with talent and could easily compete for a championship in James’ final years.
Ultimately, only time will tell where LeBron ends up next season, but the pressure is building for him to make a choice. While many factors will play a role in his next move, the Cavaliers may be his best option if he wants the maximum odds for success and glory in his last run. Either way, a decision is coming soon, and Donovan Mitchell is itching for an opportunity to link with one of the best players in NBA history.