LeBron James is set to leave the Los Angeles Lakers, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. And while it remains to be seen where he'll end up, there are two teams worth keeping an eye on: the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Both of those teams have been heavily linked to the 41-year-old. And, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the Cavaliers are interested in a third stint with James.
"Cleveland Cavaliers have interest in a second reunion with LeBron James with the appeal of the franchise’s greatest player finishing his career where it all started, league sources tell me," Haynes wrote on X.
Cleveland Cavaliers have interest in a second reunion with LeBron James with the appeal of the franchise’s greatest player finishing his career where it all started, league sources tell me.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 30, 2026
Cleveland finished as the No. 1 seed in the East in 2024-25 and is fresh off its first conference finals appearance since 2018. The Cavaliers are looking like a team that can remain in the title picture for years to come. And if they also end up getting James (who was an All-Star last season and averaged 20.9 PPG, 7.2 APG, 6.1 RPG, and 1.2 SPG in 33.2 minutes), that should only improve their standing in the East.
And for a Boston Celtics team whose short- and long-term future faces uncertainty (possible Jaylen Brown trade incoming, no clear long-term starting center), this is not ideal.
LeBron James signing with the Cavaliers could spell doom for the Celtics
He's not the same player he was the last time he suited up for Cleveland (he's not even the same player he was two or three years ago), but James is still a positive asset and would bring a ton of value to any team that signs him this offseason.
And if that team ends up being the Cavaliers, it would become even more difficult for Boston to re-enter the title picture.
The Celtics may already be on the outside looking in of the title picture. Teams like the New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, and Oklahoma City Thunder are likely going to be forces for years to come.
And in addition to them, the Indiana Pacers are getting Tyrese Haliburton back (they were one win away from a championship the last time he suited up), the Detroit Pistons were just the No. 1 seed in the East, Kawhi Leonard might end up back with the Toronto Raptors, the Miami Heat have Giannis Antetokounmpo now, and then everything I already said about the Cavaliers.
The Celtics should still be a great team next season, but are they championship contenders? As it stands, no. And if Cleveland ends up reuniting with the King this offseason, then Boston's outlook may only get even worse.
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