Questions are ahead for the Cleveland Cavaliers after their postseason exit at the hands of the Pacers.
Kenny Atkinson found instant success in his first year with the Cleveland Cavaliers, becoming the league’s Coach of the Year recipient. And on the court, the trio of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Darius Garland were named as NBA All-Stars.
But the joy and success that the Cavs savored all season long took a quick turn in the NBA Playoffs.
Shortly after demolishing the Miami Heat in a historic four-game, first-round sweep, Cleveland endured a gut-wrenching reality check upon being eliminated by the Indiana Pacers in five games of the East Semis.
Right now, there is just a single question hanging over the Cavaliers: Where to go next?
This season marks the third campaign of the franchise under the Mitchell era. Yet behind the leadership of the superstar guard whom they acquired last 2022 blockbuster trade with the Utah Jazz, the Cavaliers are yet to take the next step and even reach the Conference Finals.
To be fair, Mitchell did everything he could to guide Cleveland, averaging 34.2 points per game against the Pacers despite nursing injuries, but it was still not enough.
There is still a significant element missing around the Cavs that can propel them to get over the hump. And for Nick Wright, there is only one familiar figure who can absolutely offer the needed help.
Speaking to First Things First, the NBA expert campaigned for LeBron James to consider another Cleveland homecoming in the wake of the Cavs’ underachieving run.
“Just go home, ‘Bron,” Wright said. “From the area, it’s year 23. No one can say he’s front-running. In the entirety that the Cavs have existed, they’ve never been past round two except for when he’s been there. And they’ve lived in the Finals. There was a lot of, you know, chatter this year: is this the best Cavs team ever? Is this the most fun Cavs season ever? How fun is it now?
“Donovan, who I think even in defeat, a compelling club superstar case, is now on this very weird streak of every year he’s been in the league, he’s been in the playoffs, and every year it’s ended before the Conference Finals. It can only happen if ‘Bron is willing to play for close to nothing.
“So it would really just have to be him being like, ‘You know what? I did my job in L.A. I brought them a championship and helped them get the player that they then used to get the next, you know, the next iteration of Laker basketball. No one can say I didn’t.’ I gave them seven years, more than I think anyone realistically expected.”
It has been seven years since he left Cleveland in 2018, but James’ legacy remains glowing across the Cavaliers organization. Upon returning to the franchise in 2014, the NBA superstar led them to four consecutive Finals appearances, highlighted by their historic first-ever championship in 2016.
Despite having Luka Doncic at his side, James also had a disappointing 2025 NBA Playoff run with the LA Lakers, being eliminated in a five-game upset by the Minnesota Timberwolves this past opening round.
If James desires to win his fifth championship ring before retiring, Wright believes that he must pursue a greater shot by wearing a Cavaliers uniform.
“I think as great as Luka is, I think Bron has a better chance of winning a championship playing with the Cavs,” Wright argued.
“Not because the Cavs would necessarily be better, but because they would have to win two tough rounds in the playoffs, the conference finals and the NBA Finals. And the Lakers, like, the West is just so deep and so hard.”
James holds a $52.6 million 2025-26 player option. Who knows what might unfold this upcoming summer, but witnessing him taking his talents back to Ohio would be an epic storyline for both him and the Cavaliers.
