THE KING’S RETURN: INSIDE DONOVAN MITCHELL’S THOUGHTS ON A LEBRON JAMES CLEVELAND REUNION
Is LeBron James headed back to Cleveland? Read Donovan Mitchell’s reaction and the Lakers' shock plan to sign Luka Dončić today.
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Donovan Mitchell and LeBron James stood side by side at the free-throw line during the first quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on November 25, 2023. On the surface, it was just another night in Cleveland, but the rumours swirling around the NBA made that moment feel bigger than it looked.
Lately, talk around the league has picked up that LeBron might leave the Lakers this summer and finish his career at home with the Cavaliers. People close to the situation seem to think he wants that final chapter in Cleveland. Donovan Mitchell, who’s the face of the Cavs right now, hears the gossip just like everyone else.
During an interview on “SiriusXM NBA Radio” right before the All-Star Game, Mitchell didn’t dodge the question.
“I’ve been a Bron fan for a long time. Playing with him? That’d be incredible, obviously. But that’s not my call,” Mitchell said. “I can only worry about what we have here. There are always going to be rumours; that’s just how it goes. My job is to focus on winning a championship. Whatever happens, happens. It’s not up to me.”
The idea of a LeBron retirement tour is picking up steam. Last week, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said the league is bracing for a sendoff “for the ages” next season. The scenario? LeBron joins up with Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and a loaded Cavs squad for one more run.
“Honestly, I have no idea what LeBron’s going to do,” MacMahon admitted. “But the buzz is strong. People expect a Cleveland reunion and a farewell tour that nobody will forget.”
If you dropped LeBron onto a team with Mitchell, Mobley, James Harden, Jarrett Allen, and Jaylon Tyson, that’s a squad with real title hopes. Mitchell isn’t getting ahead of himself, though. He’s locked in on the season in front of him.
“It’s not something for anyone in this locker room to worry about,” Mitchell said when pressed again about LeBron possibly coming back. “I believe in controlling what I can control. And yeah, it’s LeBron James; of course, people are going to talk.
“But honestly, I’m more focused on the guys we just brought in: James Harden, Dennis Schroder, and Keon Ellis. The goal is simple: let’s chase a ring and see what happens after that.”
Now, on the business side of things, the Cavs’ payroll for 2025-26 is already sky-high. They’re set to be a second-apron team, which makes adding LeBron or any other big name tricky. Some insiders think Cleveland’s front office could let Harden walk or trade Jarrett Allen to create room for LeBron. Others have floated the idea of LeBron signing for the veteran minimum just to keep the roster together.
Meanwhile, the Lakers are in a totally different spot. They could clear up to $100 million in cap space this summer and seem ready to move on from LeBron. Word is, they want to turn the team over to Luka Dončić. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said the Lakers have no plans to bring LeBron back unless he’s willing to take a big pay cut.
“The Lakers are almost definitely going to ask him to take less, maybe a lot less,” Windhorst explained. “Will LeBron be okay with that, like Dirk did in Dallas at the end of his career? Or, if he doesn’t like their plan, does he just pack up and go somewhere else?”
LAKERS ON THE BRINK: LEBRON JAMES ADMITS DISAPPOINTMENT AFTER 3-0 SERIES DEFICIT
"We still have life." LeBron James remains defiant despite a brutal 131-108 loss to OKC at the Crypto.com Arena on Saturday.
The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves just one loss away from elimination after a tough 131-108 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday night. Although the Lakers held a halftime lead for the second consecutive game, they again fell apart in the second half, allowing Oklahoma City to cruise to a 3-0 series lead.
LeBron James spoke after the game, highlighting the Thunder’s depth and relentless energy while emphasising that the Lakers still believe they have a chance to push the series further. The Thunder outscored Los Angeles 74-49 after halftime and once more dominated the third quarter, continuing a pattern that has largely defined this series.
“They’re solid from top to bottom,” James said after the game. “And they never take their foot off the gas.”
Oklahoma City converted at a 56 per cent clip and spread the scoring load, even though reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was only 7-of-20 from the field with 23 points. The Thunder’s supporting players reinforced the effort alongside Chet Holmgren, Ajay Mitchell, Jared McCain, and Alex Caruso.
LeBron pointed directly to the third quarter as the turning point for Game 3.
“Obviously, the third quarter is where it starts,” he noted. “We lacked the energy and effort, and they dropped over 30 points on us.”
Despite strong first-half performances from Rui Hachimura and Luke Kennard, giving Los Angeles a one-point lead at halftime, Oklahoma City seized control right after the break, forcing turnovers and capitalising on easy transition baskets.
“In that third quarter, we couldn’t hit shots,” James admitted. “We defended but didn’t get stops, which let them take control.”
The Lakers were outscored 33-20 in that quarter alone. James managed just one field goal, while Austin Reaves went scoreless in the period.
James finished the night with 19 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, but his shooting was off at 7-for-19, and he posted a minus-24 plus-minus rating.
Los Angeles also turned the ball over 17 times, which led to 30 points for the Thunder. Oklahoma City outscored the Lakers 64-44 in the paint as well.
When pressed about the frustration of falling behind 3-0, James kept his response measured.
“I can’t say I’m not disappointed or angry,” he said. “You’re obviously disappointed being down 3-0, but we still have life. That’s all you can ask for. We have to be much better on Monday.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick backed up James’ take, describing Oklahoma City as an elite team in the NBA.
“They’ve beaten us three straight games,” Redick said. “They’re a really impressive basketball team.”
Redick previously drew comparisons between the Thunder and dominant teams like the 1990s Chicago Bulls and the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors. James acknowledged Oklahoma City’s versatility and depth, which have caused significant matchup problems.
“They have the right personnel to adapt to whatever you throw out there,” James said. “And they stay productive no matter who’s on the floor.”
Even with Gilgeous-Alexander’s uneven scoring, the Thunder have continued to win comfortably. Holmgren’s inside presence has been dominant, and Mitchell once again put up a strong stat line with 24 points and 10 assists.
James wasn’t surprised by the Thunder’s sustained pressure, given their roster makeup.
“You’ve seen them develop over the years,” he said. “They have a lot of players who can do multiple things, and that depth really helps.”
The Lakers are still without Luka Doncic, sidelined with a Grade 2 hamstring strain from April, which has hampered their offensive rhythm, especially late in games.
Facing elimination now, James insisted the team’s focus remains squarely on Game 4 rather than any bigger questions about the group’s future.
"No", James said when asked if they considered this might be their last run together. “We’re just concentrating on the moment and moving forward from there.”
Game 4 is set for Monday night in Los Angeles, where the Lakers will fight to avoid a sweep and keep the series alive before heading back to Oklahoma City.
MAX HOLLOWAY BREAKS SILENCE ON PARAMOUNT REGARDING CONOR MCGREGOR UFC 329 RUMORS
Relive the 13-year history between Holloway and McGregor as the Hawaiian star targets International Fight Week for ultimate revenge.
Max Holloway is hungry for payback against Conor McGregor as rumours swirl about a rematch.
McGregor hasn’t stepped inside the octagon since that quick loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021. His last win was way back in 2020 when he steamrolled Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in under a minute. He was supposed to fight Michael Chandler in 2024, but that fell through after he got injured.
Now, at 37, McGregor’s back in training and eyeing a return for UFC 329 on July 11, right as International Fight Week rolls around. Before that, he missed out on a shot at the White House card, so this July date is shaping up to be his next window.
Dana White has flip-flopped a bit on McGregor’s comeback, but now he sounds confident: “It’s looking good. Believe me, you know once we get a deal done with him, we will announce it.” And right now, Holloway looks like the top pick for the fight, 13 years after they first went at it.
Back then, McGregor beat Holloway by decision. Since then, Holloway’s had his own ups and downs; he lost the BMF belt to Charles Oliveira in March and hasn’t fought since. Still, he’s eager to get back, especially if it means a shot at Conor.
Talking to Paramount, Holloway laid it out: “We have history. We fought a long time ago. If someone’s got a win over me, I want that back. If he really is serious about returning, and it looks like he is, then this is an exciting fight. He looks hungry. He even did a boxing exhibition not too long ago, so it looks like he’s really coming back. I just want another shot. Any fight with Conor is huge, but with our past? It means even more. If I can knock a few names off my list, that’s great.”
For now, Holloway hasn’t heard anything official from the UFC about July. "Maybe we'll see what happens,” he said. “I’m seeing all the same talk you are. I haven’t heard anything yet, but July would work for me. They say you’re only as good as your last fight, and I want people to forget about that one as soon as possible.”
