NBA rumors: Brian Windhorst goes full Windy with cryptic LeBron James, Cavs trade takes

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NBA rumors: Brian Windhorst goes full Windy with cryptic LeBron James, Cavs trade takes

Julian Ojeda, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Tue, Jun 30, 2026 ·

3 min read

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NBA rumors: Brian Windhorst goes full Windy with cryptic LeBron James, Cavs trade takes appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .

LeBron James ' decision to leave the Los Angeles Lakers has reignited speculation about a possible third stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers , but ESPN's Brian Windhorst is not yet convinced that a reunion is imminent.

Shortly after ESPN's Shams Charania reported on X, formerly known as Twitter, that James informed the Lakers he would continue his career elsewhere , Windhorst was asked whether Cleveland should be viewed as a realistic destination.

His response left plenty of room for interpretation.

"I don't think the Cavs are a realistic option," Windhorst said.

"I've not heard the Cavs are out but I've certainly not heard that they're in. So, I'm not considering that as an option at the moment."

While Windhorst downplayed Cleveland's chances for now, his comments come only days after he outlined a theoretical framework that could make a reunion financially feasible.

Last week, Windhorst floated the possibility of a sign-and-trade between the Lakers and Cavaliers centered around All-Star center Jarrett Allen .

"There is a thought process out there in Los Angeles and if the Cavs were interested in this, the Lakers would sit up in attention right now," Windhorst said at the time.

"That they would sign-and-trade LeBron for Jarrett Allen . I think if the Cavs were willing to do that, they could have LeBron."

Windhorst added that the Lakers would enthusiastically pursue such a deal because of their longstanding need at center.

"But if your pathway to pay LeBron the money is to trade Jarrett Allen for him, the Lakers would kill for Jarrett Allen. Kill for him! They would do that deal in 17 tenths of a second."

Max Strus ' future joins LeBron James as key Cavaliers offseason storyline

Beyond James, Windhorst suggested another Cavaliers storyline worth monitoring involves veteran wing Max Strus .

Asked whether Cleveland could move Strus this offseason, Windhorst indicated the situation remains fluid.

"I definitely think it's something to keep an eye on," Windhorst said.

"The Cavs have several different options that they're looking at… in my view with Strus you either sign him to an extension or you trade him. You do not hold him on a one-year deal so that is definitely something to keep an eye on."

Strus enters the final season of his current contract, making his future one of several key decisions facing Cleveland as the organization looks to build on another deep playoff run.

For now, Windhorst's latest comments suggest there is no clear indication that James is headed back to Cleveland despite widespread speculation following his departure from Los Angeles.

However, his previously proposed Jarrett Allen sign-and-trade scenario underscores that if the Cavaliers ultimately decide to pursue the franchise icon, there is at least one potential path that could satisfy both organizations.

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