Even in a 30-point loss, LeBron James’ return to Cleveland felt bigger than basketball. The scoreboard showed a blowout, but everything else inside Rocket Arena told a different story. The Cavs held the 41-year-old to just 11 points and handed the Lakers a humbling defeat, yet the night carried a far different tone. The tribute video on the Jumbotron, the roar of the crowd, and the vintage jerseys worn in his honor all delivered the same message: in Cleveland, LeBron is more than an opponent. He’s history.

“The Cleveland 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,” Dave McMenamin wrote on Thursday.

Addressing this matter, Draymond Green, on his podcast, The Draymond Green Show, said, “The Cleveland Cavaliers should and would, could, and better always be willing to have him come back there and put on the Cleveland Cavaliers jersey. Because it’s so much bigger than basketball. So much bigger than basketball, what he brings to that city. So when Dave McMenamin reported that, I know alot of people were shocked. But I thought, ‘Yeah of course, one-thousand percent they want him back.’”

As a native of Akron, Ohio, LeBron rose alongside a city searching for belief. Therefore, his presence always carried civic weight. Cleveland had waited since 1964 for a major professional title, and hope often felt distant. Moreover, LeBron’s four NBA championships and career average of 27.1 points per game framed him as more than a superstar. He became a symbol tied to the city’s identity and pride.

However, the defining chapter arrived in 2016. After returning to Cleveland from a quick pitstop in Miami, LeBron led the Cavaliers past Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors in a dramatic Game 7. Consequently, the championship parade drew 1.3 million people, nearly 10% of Northeast Ohio. The moment closed a 52-year drought and united the region.

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Moreover, the impact showed up in dollars and development. During his second Cavaliers run from 2014 to 2018, downtown Cleveland recorded $3.5 billion in growth. Hotels, restaurants, and East 4th Street flourished.

In 2018, LeBron opened the I Promise School, supporting over 1,500 at-risk students through education and job pathways.

Meanwhile, global campaigns like Witness, murals, a statue outside Rocket Arena, and civic activism amplified Cleveland’s profile, much like Tom Brady’s influence in Tampa Bay.

On the court, the Cleveland Cavaliers could benefit from having LeBron James on the current roster.

LeBron James could be the missing piece for the Cavs

LeBron James remains under contract with the Los Angeles Lakers on a $52.6 million deal that expires after the 2025-2026 season. Meanwhile, Cleveland has surged early, led by a deep, youthful core. Therefore, the idea of adding LeBron as a veteran stabilizer keeps resurfacing.

His career playmaking at 7.4 assists per game, plus 25.7 points per game last season, fits cleanly with a contender that values balance, defense, and control.

Moreover, Cleveland’s roster already sits among the East’s elite. Donovan Mitchell leads scoring at 28.0 points per game, while Darius Garland adds 18.0 points and 6.7 assists. Evan Mobley supplies 15.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and elite rim deterrence, and Jarrett Allen thrives as a vertical finisher.

Meanwhile, LeBron could log 25 to 30 minutes at forward, lift transition offense, and protect Mitchell and Garland’s workload, echoing his 2018 impact.

However, Cleveland’s projected payroll for 2025-26 is around $217-229 million, exceeding the second apron threshold of approximately $208 million.

This financial constraint creates significant complications for any potential roster moves, as it triggers severe trade restrictions that make it impossible to directly match LeBron’s $52.6 million salary without salary bundling or multi-team deals.

To navigate these restrictions, multi-team trades involving players like Jarrett Allen ($20 million salary) or De’Andre Hunter ($23.3 million) are being discussed in rumors.

These deals would serve a dual purpose: acquiring talent while offloading salary to cut over $100 million in tax exposure.

One scenario gaining traction proposes Cleveland acquiring LeBron (plus Bronny James) by sending out Allen and others.

However, any deal must also account for Evan Mobley’s contract—a 5-year, $269 million extension with a $46-50 million salary this season.

Given these complex financial hurdles, the Lakers’ hesitation persists amid these apron issues.

Now, the league holds its breath to see if LeBron truly ends his career in the Lakers’ colors or the Cavs.

Moreover, retirement conversations around the Akron Hammer have escalated since he visited Cleveland two days ago.

So, it looks like everything is on the table. It’s only a matter of time before the King chooses his next move.