Donovan Mitchell Open to LeBron James Joining Cavs

Mitchell says playing with James 'would obviously be special' but his focus is on winning a title with current team.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell said that the prospect of playing with LeBron James would be 'special' but that his main focus is on winning a championship with the team's current roster, which was recently bolstered by trades for James Harden and Dennis Schroder.

Why it matters

The Cavaliers have been rumored as a potential landing spot for James when his current deal with the Los Angeles Lakers expires this summer. Mitchell's comments suggest he would be open to teaming up with the four-time NBA champion, though he is trying to keep his attention on the Cavs' quest for a title this season.

The details

In an interview with SiriusXM NBA Radio, Mitchell acknowledged that playing with James 'would obviously be special' but said 'that's not something in my control.' He emphasized that his 'main focus right now is trying to get this championship' with the current Cavaliers roster, which was recently upgraded with the additions of Harden and Schroder.

  • Mitchell's comments came during NBA All-Star Weekend, when speculation about James' future is ramping up.

The players

Donovan Mitchell

The star player for the Cleveland Cavaliers who was open to the idea of playing with LeBron James but is focused on winning a title with the team's current roster.

LeBron James

The four-time NBA champion who has been rumored as a potential free agent target for the Cavaliers this summer when his current deal with the Los Angeles Lakers expires.

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What they’re saying

“As a Bron fan, to be able to be a teammate, that would obviously be special, but that's not something in my control. I control what we got here. There's always going to be reports, that's natural, it's gonna be a thing.”

— Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers Player (SiriusXM NBA Radio)

What’s next

The Cavaliers would need to make significant roster moves in order to create enough salary cap space to sign LeBron James as a free agent this offseason.

The takeaway

While Donovan Mitchell is open to the idea of playing with LeBron James, his primary focus remains on leading the Cavaliers to an NBA championship with the team's current core, which was recently bolstered by key trades. The prospect of a James-Mitchell partnership in Cleveland remains speculative at this point.