The mock trade would see the Cleveland Cavaliers four new players in return for shipping Darius Garland to the Orlando Magic

One NBA reporter thinks it’s “almost a guarantee” LeBron James returns to the Cleveland Cavaliers if the Cavs don’t reach the NBA Finals next season. James becomes an unrestricted free agent next offseason for the first time since 2018.

Amid injury concerns, Darius Garland may be traded — and the Orlando Magic could be the top suitor.

Despite dominating the 2024-25 NBA regular season, the Cleveland Cavaliers fellshort in the playoffs. Kenny Atkinson’s team was eliminated in the second roundby the Indiana Pacers. That’s why former NBA champion turned ESPN analystKendrick Perkins believes regular-season success won’t cut it for the Cavaliersnext season.

Aging NBA stars face a painful truth: pride and playing time rarely go hand in hand. This episode explores the harsh psychological reality for veterans like Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson, whose career arcs have taken dramatically different turns.

If the Cleveland Cavaliers don’t win the 2026 title, an NBA exec can see them “going hard” after LeBron James next summer.  James, 40, becomes a free agent next summer for the first time since 2018.

The former NBA guard has proposed a unique challenge that Darius Garland faces, both now and for the rest of his career