Donovan Mitchell has a simple message for LeBron James as the Cleveland Cavaliers pursue a reunion with their former franchise star: come home and chase another championship.
Asked about his pitch to James during free agency, Mitchell kept his message direct. “I mean it’s home, we’ve done it once, let’s do it again, simple as that,” Mitchell said.
James remains one of the biggest names available this offseason after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers, and Cleveland has emerged as one of the strongest contenders to sign him. The Cavaliers have positioned themselves as a win-now team after reaching the Eastern Conference finals in 2026, where they were swept by the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks.
Mitchell’s commitment to Cleveland is already secured. The All-Star guard agreed to a four-year, $273 million maximum contract extension on July 7, keeping him under contract through the 2030-31 season with a player option in the final year.
The 29-year-old guard led Cleveland during the 2025-26 season, averaging 27.9 points, 5.7 assists and 4.5 rebounds in 70 games. Mitchell shot 48.3% from the field, 36.4% from three-point range on 8.8 attempts per game, and finished seventh in MVP voting while earning All-NBA Second Team honors.
A potential James return would give Cleveland another elite creator alongside Mitchell and James Harden. Harden averaged 20.5 points and 7.7 assists in 26 games with the Cavaliers after arriving during the season, while Evan Mobley continued his development with 18.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.
The Cavaliers also retained a strong frontcourt foundation with Jarrett Allen, who averaged 15.4 points and 8.5 rebounds while shooting 63.8% from the field during the regular season.
Cleveland has made several offseason moves with flexibility for James in mind. The Cavaliers traded their No. 29 overall pick to Sacramento, moving down to No. 34 to select Meleek Thomas while creating additional financial flexibility. Thomas, a guard from Arkansas, shot 41.6% from three-point range in college.
The Cavaliers also opened roster space by allowing defenders Dean Wade and Keon Ellis to leave in free agency, clearing approximately $20 million in combined salary commitments. The team has targeted veteran additions around a core built around Mitchell, Mobley, Allen and Harden.
James’ return would represent another chapter in his relationship with Cleveland. He spent 11 seasons with the franchise across two stints, leading the Cavaliers to their first NBA championship in 2016 after overcoming a 3-1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors in the Finals.
The Cavaliers are competing with several teams for James, including the Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors. Golden State’s pursuit has reportedly slowed as its attempts to acquire Anthony Davis from the Washington Wizards have not gained traction.
Cleveland’s advantage is the combination of roster fit and history. The Cavaliers already have an All-NBA guard in Mitchell, an elite defensive big man in Mobley, a championship-winning connection with James and a roster constructed to compete immediately in the Eastern Conference.
For Mitchell, the recruiting message is centered on repeating history rather than creating a new one.
