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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.

The King’s Return: Inside Donovan Mitchell’s Thoughts On A LeBron James Cleveland Reunion
Donovan Mitchell Addresses Rumours Of LeBron James Joining Loaded Cavaliers Roster

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?”

BEYOND SUPER BOWL LX: HOW KEEPING KARL SCOTT SECURES THE SEAHAWKS' DEFENSIVE FUTURE

Fresh off a Super Bowl LX victory, the Seattle Seahawks have retained Karl Scott. Discover why the elite DB coach is staying put.

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Karl Scott Rejects Cardinals To Stay With Super Bowl Champion Seahawks

The Seahawks aren’t wasting any time. Fresh off their Super Bowl LX win over the Patriots, Mike Macdonald is already back at work, piecing together his staff for the 2026 season. The celebration isn’t even over yet, but the NFL machine keeps moving.

One big piece of news: Karl Scott, the defensive pass game specialist and defensive backs coach, is staying put. With Klint Kubiak heading out to coach the Raiders, Macdonald suddenly has a key spot to fill on offence. But he can relax a little on defence; Scott’s not going anywhere.

It’s one of the perks of a Super Bowl run. When your team goes deep into the playoffs, other teams have to wait longer to interview your coaches, and by then, a lot of jobs are already gone. The Seahawks knew Kubiak was leaving for a while, but most of the other top assistants around the league have found new gigs. There are still a few open spots, though, and Scott’s name kept popping up for defensive coordinator jobs, including in Arizona. He’s played a big part in turning Seattle’s defence into one of the toughest groups in the league. After a stint with the Vikings back in 2021, he’s been with the Seahawks for four years now, and his impact shows.

Even with the Seahawks making that Super Bowl run, Scott was getting calls from other teams looking for a defensive coordinator. But he’s decided to stick around at least for now. Reports broke Friday afternoon that Scott won’t be leaving Seattle this offseason. Ian Rapoport from NFL Network shared on X, “Seahawks defensive pass game specialist and DBs coach Karl Scott, who has been in the mix for defensive coordinator jobs, including Arizona’s, is planning to remain with Seattle, I’m told. Fresh off a Super Bowl win for Mike Macdonald’s dominant group, Scott now returns.”

This is a huge win for Macdonald and the Seahawks. Keeping Scott isn’t just about stability; he’s one of the main reasons their pass defence has been so tough to beat. Sure, Scott’s probably going to get his shot at a bigger job sooner rather than later, but for now, Macdonald gets another year with one of the best assistants in the league. And with all the success Scott’s had in Seattle, don’t be shocked if he lands a promotion or draws even more interest for defensive coordinator jobs once the next offseason rolls around. For now, though, he’s all in with the Seahawks.

TRIPLE-DECADE LEGEND: 12-TIME ALL-STAR CHRIS PAUL HANGS UP HIS JERSEY

NBA legend Chris Paul has officially retired at age 40. Discover the "Point God's" legacy, his 21-season career, and what's next.

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Chris Paul officially retires after 21 legendary NBA seasons

After 21 seasons, NBA star Chris Paul, now 40, is retiring from pro basketball.

This is it! Paul shared on social media on Friday, Feb. 13. After 21 years, I'm stepping away from basketball. It's hard to know what to feel, and surprisingly, I don't have all the answers for once!

The former Clippers star said he feels a lot of joy and gratitude.

'Though my time as an "NBA player" is done, basketball will always be a part of me,' he said. I’ve been in the NBA for more than half my life, across three decades. It's wild to think about! Playing basketball has been an amazing blessing, but it also comes with responsibility. I embraced it all, good and bad.

This news arrives after Paul's unexpected release from the Clippers, weeks after stating the 2025-26 season would be his last. He is a 12-time NBA All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medallist.

'I'm at peace with everything,' Paul told PEOPLE a few days later, saying he has no regrets about his career. I'm excited to be around and possibly play a small role in what comes next.

Earlier this month, Paul was traded to the Toronto Raptors and then waived on Friday when he announced his retirement. From Salem, North Carolina, Paul played seven seasons with the New Orleans Hornets after two years of college ball at Wake Forest, where he helped them become the nation’s No. 1 team.

After his time with the Hornets, Paul spent seven seasons with the Clippers. Then, he moved around to different teams like the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, and San Antonio Spurs before his final season back in Los Angeles.

Despite reaching the finals with the Suns in 2021, Paul never won an NBA Championship. Even without a title, he had an impressive career: 11 All-NBA Team picks, seven All-NBA Defensive Team picks, and the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in 2006. He made the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, solidifying him as one of the league's greats.

'The game always gave me a reason to show up,' Paul shared, mentioning moments like scoring 61 points in high school after his grandfather Nathaniel Paul was killed. Real leaders know that just showing up is half the battle.

After the Clippers cut him in December, Paul told PEOPLE he looked forward to spending more time with his wife, Jada, and their kids, Chris Jr, 16, and Camryn Alexis, 13.

'I'm excited to take all the great lessons basketball has taught me into the next chapter,' Paul said Friday. And especially all the people I've met through basketball.

He finished with: To all my teammates, coaches, staff, executives, and my family, I can’t thank you enough… I'll now have more time to start!

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