Donovan Mitchell’s message to LeBron James: ‘Let’s do it again’

July 17, 2026

Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell isn’t hiding where he’d like to see LeBron James play next.

Asked what his recruiting pitch would be to the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, Mitchell kept it short.

“I mean, it’s home,” Mitchell said, via ESPN Cleveland. “We’ve done it once. Let’s do it again. Simple as that.”

Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA — File photo

Mitchell’s comments come as speculation continues to swirl around James’ future after he officially entered free agency earlier this month.

League sources continue to tell Hoops Wire that Cleveland remains among the frontrunners to land James, along with Miami and Philadelphia.

Mitchell has previously indicated he would welcome the opportunity to play alongside James, who led the Cavaliers to the franchise’s lone NBA championship in 2016 before leaving for the Lakers in 2018.

“I mean it’s home, we’ve done it once, let’s do it again, simple as that,” – Donovan Mitchell on his pitch to LeBron James to return to the Cavs. pic.twitter.com/Y9fuH5on2V

— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) July 16, 2026

James, 41, averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds last season while earning another All-NBA selection.

Should he choose to return to Cleveland, James would join a Cavs core that includes Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen after the club reached the Eastern Conference finals last season.

No timetable has been announced for James’ decision, though the four-time MVP said Thursday at Fanatics Fest, “I won’t hold you guys up too much longer.”