NBA executive says LeBron James makes a mistake without returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers

According to Nico Martinez, a US sports media columnist. An anonymous NBA executive thinks LeBron James missed his chance to get a perfect ending. According to Hoops Wire, the executive, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said James should opt out of the $50 million deal with the Lakers this summer and return to his home in Cleveland, where he could have teamed up with Mitchell, Garland and Mobley. In the eyes of the executive, the lineup would “go to the NBA Finals” and create the third act of the legend for James wearing the Cavaliers jersey.

"I'm not sitting here telling people to say no to over $50 million, but LeBron is a billionaire, man," the NBA executive told Hoops Wire. "He has enough money and makes enough off-field. If I were in his camp, I would tell him to reject the Lakers' player option and sign with the Cavaliers. That would be a clever approach."

40-year-old James has been with the Lakers since 2018, but this summer he has the opportunity to plan a different route. For now, it seems like James will be back to the Lakers to end his career, but not everyone agrees that it is the best place to maximize his championship odds. "Do you know how dangerous it will be in Cleveland? LeBron starts next to Mitchell, Mobley, Allen and Garland? They could have walked to the NBA Finals and LeBron ended his career in Cleveland would be a storybook ending," the executive said. "I think he made a mistake."

James (27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game in his career) has a long and complex history with the Cavaliers. First, he was born in Akron, Ohio, not far from Cleveland. Growing up as a Cavaliers fan, his story ended successfully when he was selected by the team with the No. 1 pick in 2003. He immediately became a star and remained the city’s hero until his dramatic exit in 2010. He spent four years with the Heat, which was dissatisfied and sarcastic from fans. Eventually, he returned to the Cavaliers to help them win the championship in 2016, before he left again and signed with the Lakers.

Returning to Cleveland at this stage will be the final storybook ending—which also allows him to chase another ring with Mitchell, Garland, Mobley and Allen. While the Cavaliers are at the second-large line, if James really wants to, he will likely force back there this summer, especially with a buyout. Instead, LeBron missed the opportunity and he may regret it later. Instead, LeBron may let the perfect ending slip away, and regrets may appear later.

Currently, LeBron James remains in Los Angeles, still competing at the elite level as he enters his 22nd NBA season. But as the end of his career approaches, the idea of opening the final chapter in Cleveland—where everything begins—will always linger in the minds of fans and executives. Whether James regrets staying in Los Angeles or not, one thing is clear: the story-like ending is there waiting for him, and what will he choose in the end?