Lebron James Weighed Cleveland Return Before Joining Sixers

WHO:

Newsweek - LeBron James considered returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers before signing with the Philadelphia 76ers.

RealGM Basketball - James, the 76ers, and the Cavaliers were involved in the reported reunion consideration.

WHAT:

Newsweek - James seriously considered returning to the Cavaliers before signing with Philadelphia.

RealGM Basketball - After the 76ers overcame a 29-point deficit to defeat Cleveland, James said he had considered a third stint with the Cavaliers before signing with the 76ers.

RealGM Basketball - James said: “The nature of the meeting, I probably won't discuss much,” and added, “But it was in consideration for sure.”

RealGM Basketball - James said he was deciding where he wanted to go “with the rest of my career, to finish my career, or the next step,” and that the Cavaliers “had a lot of consideration for sure.”

RealGM Basketball - James played his first seven NBA seasons in Cleveland, spent three years with the Miami Heat, then returned to Cleveland for four more seasons.

RealGM Basketball - During his second Cavaliers stint, James led Cleveland to the NBA title in 2016.

WHERE:

Newsweek - The teams involved were the Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers.

RealGM Basketball - The 76ers defeated the Cavaliers; James’s NBA career included Cleveland and Miami.

WHY:

RealGM Basketball - James said his decision concerned choosing a team as he considered building toward a championship and determining the next step or final destination of his career.

HOW:

RealGM Basketball - James discussed the Cavaliers possibility after the 76ers’ comeback victory, describing it as a consideration during a meeting whose details he declined to discuss.

(UPDATED October 23, 2026 21:16 UTC)

LeBron James says he seriously considered a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers before signing with the Philadelphia 76ers. He spoke about the possibility after Philadelphia rallied from a 29-point deficit to beat Cleveland. James said he would not discuss much about the meeting, but confirmed a Cavaliers reunion was “in consideration for sure.” He described the choice as deciding where to go for the rest of his career, whether that meant finishing his career or taking the next step. Cleveland, he said, received significant consideration. James spent his first seven NBA seasons with the Cavaliers, then played three seasons for the Miami Heat before returning to Cleveland for four more. During that second stint, he led the Cavaliers to the NBA title in 2016. His comments offer a glimpse into the decision that led him to Philadelphia.