“Your best chance to win a championship” – Reggie Miller thinks LeBron should finish his career with the Cavs
As LeBron James’ career continues to wind down, questions about how he finishes it linger. The best option is for him to stay in Los Angeles and ride off into the sunset with the Lakers. Yet the prevailing notion persists that the King might end his career where it began, in Cleveland.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will forever be linked to LeBron. He spent most of his early career in the Land before departing for the Miami Heat. The move, although widely criticized, was ultimately the right decision for his career, given the multiple rings he won.
Advertisement
Cleveland, in some ways, understood this and, in 2015, opened its arms again to its prodigal son. He repaid that by bringing the franchise its first championship in 2016 after a legendary Finals against the Golden State Warriors.
Miller believes James would have to sacrifice
The sentiment and history are apparent, and LBJ is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season, which is why the hype is generating so much buzz. Speaking on the “Dan Patrick Show”, Reggie Miller addressed the possibility and stated one concession Bron needs to make to return to Cleveland.
Advertisement
To return home to Cleveland, Miller says James, who is making $52,627,153 this season, will have to take a pay cut.
“If he goes back to Cleveland, where he won that championship, is he going to be taking a hometown discount as well? Because now they just added James Harden and his salary. You got Donovan Mitchell on a max salary, Mobley is going to be up, Jarett Allen,” Miller explained.
As it stands, the Cavaliers are projected to have one of the highest payrolls come the offseason. Further hampered by the recent acquisition of James Harden from the Los Angeles Clippers for Darius Garland.
Advertisement
Haden is set to make $42,317,307 next season, yet he still won’t be the highest-paid player on the team — Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley both stake that claim, with both making $50,105,628. Jarrett Allen, alongside several other players, will also see their salary increase this offseason.
LeBron, who has earned $581,375,548 throughout his 22-year career, could be looking at the Cavaliers as a serious opportunity to win one last ring before retirement. After all, LeBron has always ruled the Eastern Conference, and if he does join the Cavaliers, fans could argue that he will be on the most talented team he has ever been on.
For Miller, Cleveland will be James’ best chance at his last ring, but he also pointed out how the current weakened state of the East could be deceiving.
Advertisement
“Your best chance to win a championship is to go back home to Cleveland and be in the East. East is up for grabs,” he said. “Out West, you’ve got four or five teams, led by the champs in OKC that you know are going to be there.”
“But the East will be getting some strength back, with Tatum possibly coming back this year, though we know he’ll be back next year. Haliburton, Indiana, will be better now that they’ve gotten Zubac in that big trade,” added Miller.
Related: “Their first thing is ‘Ugh…f–k!'” – Jason Williams explains why almost every player doesn’t want to play in Utah
The speculation will continue unless Bron denies it
What makes the hype for LeBron returning to Cleveland all the hotter is how he responded during his last visit to his hometown. During a game between the Lakers and the Cavaliers last month, James was seen emotional after Cleveland showed highlights of his iconic 2007 Eastern Conference Finals Game 5 performance against the Detroit Pistons.
Advertisement
The whole night was emotional for both parties and showed that there was still love between them. Adding to this is that Bron has yet to address the rumors at all, which has only amplified Uncle Reg and fans’ belief that he might be considering a return.
“The only way this is going to go away is if LeBron James makes it go away. I think it’s staying out there because the hype machine of LeBron is keeping it out there as well. That hype machine is keeping it out there,” stated Miller.
Advertisement
Wherever LeBron decides to go for his farewell season, fans and critics alike will most certainly tune in to pay their respects and give gratitude to one of the greatest and most polarizing players in the league’s history.
Related: Kendrick Perkins says Donovan Mitchell and James Harden are recruiting LeBron James to Cleveland
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Feb 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.