When LeBron James abandoned his hometown team in 2010, it was seen as one of the most shocking exits in modern sports. However, for the Cleveland Cavaliers’ incoming head coach, it was anything but a surprise. Byron Scott took over as the coach on July 1, 2010. But just as his three-year tenure was about to begin, the Los Angeles Lakers legend heard murmurs that James was leaving the organization and decided to verify the information himself.

“We had a meeting, and my General Manager said, I am quoting him, ‘Oh, he ain’t leaving, he ain’t got the b—- to leave,'” Scott said on Fast Break. “I’m like, really? He’s like, ‘Nah, he ain’t got the b—- to leave.'”

The three-time NBA champ immediately called Chris Paul, whom he coached in New Orleans.

“He [Paul] said, ‘Coach, let me call you back,'” Scott recalled. “He called me back within 10 minutes and said, ‘Oh, he’s gone, coach.'”

Scott reentered the meeting and informed then-GM Chris Grant that the Heat were ready to trade for James. Well, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ front office refused to believe the legend’s words, despite his confirmation that he had solid sources.

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“I think this was being put together when they were at the Olympics,” Scott added. “I think they had this whole plan of playing together way before it materialized.”

‘They’ in this context refers to LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, who became the “Big 3” in Miami. The timeline also aligned right after the trio’s success at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Reports after James’ move to the Heat also speculated that he grew tired of being “The Man,” the sole superstar.

Scott was not opposed to James’ plan to team up with Bosh and Wade, but he would’ve done it differently.

“If I’m LeBron, and I’m the best player in the league, you join me, not me leaving and joining you,” Scott said. “Magic would never leave and join Michael Jordan.”

Reports from 2010 mention that many saw James as the next Michael Jordan. But the pressure got to him in his first season with the Heat. Having never played college basketball, he hadn’t faced that kind of pressure before. Everyone he had played against was terrified of him. However, that narrative broke in the postseason in 2011.

Even though the Heat managed to get past the Chicago Bulls in the Conference Finals, Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks were on a different level. The Heat lost three games in a row in the Finals despite being 2-1 up after Game 3. James was spotted in tears after the series ended.

Meanwhile, James could experience a full-circle moment and return to his hometown after the 2025-26 season. That’s simply because rumors suggest that two key individuals are planning to recruit the veteran to the Cavaliers.

Will LeBron James return to the Cleveland Cavaliers?

Currently, LeBron James is under contract with the Lakers for $52.6 million (player option) this season, with the deal set to expire. This means he will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer. We also don’t know whether the 41-year-old will play another season.

Although James missed 14 games and showed early rust, he remains at an All-Star level and continues to lift the Lakers. While the team hasn’t indicated much about the veteran’s future, the Cavaliers are leading the chase, with Donovan Mitchell and James Harden planning a pitch, according to Kendrick Perkins.

“My sources told me that Donovan Mitchell and James Harden already are starting the push to go and recruit LeBron James this offseason,” Perkins said on the Road Trippin’ Show. “I’m just telling you, my sources told me as soon as James Harden got on the phone or got around the team. The initial was we’re about to make this run, go all out, but we want LeBron James.”

Given how the February trade deadline turned out for the Cavaliers, anything is possible at this point. They acquired Harden and let Darius Garland go. It all appears to be an effort to keep Donovan Mitchell locked in long-term as the centerpiece. If they succeed in adding James to their roster, it won’t be surprising.