Before agreeing to join the Philadelphia 76ers, LeBron James reportedly hoped a familiar face would have joined him in a potential homecoming next season.
The 41-year-old expressed interest in reuniting with former teammate Kyrie Irving on the Cleveland Cavaliers, sources told Vincent Goodwill of ESPN. However, the Dallas Mavericks reportedly aren't inclined to negotiate a trade with the Cavaliers involving the nine-time All-Star guard.
Irving, who missed the entire 2025-26 campaign while recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee, is also reportedly presumed to be content in Dallas. The 34-year-old is expected to return for the start of the coming season, his last guaranteed year under contract before deciding on a $42-million player option for 2027-28.
James and Irving were teammates in Cleveland for three seasons from 2014-17, during which they made three consecutive trips to the Finals, including one that resulted in the franchise's lone championship in 2016. Irving was instrumental in that title run, averaging 25.2 points, 4.7 assists, three rebounds, and 1.7 steals in 21 postseason starts.
He also buried a decisive three over Stephen Curry with under a minute left in Game 7 to help Cleveland complete its historic 3-1 series comeback against the Golden State Warriors.
James and Irving's relationship appeared to sour a year later, though, as the latter reportedly requested a trade amid rumors that he no longer wanted to play alongside the four-time MVP. The Cavaliers then shipped Irving to the Boston Celtics, while James remained in Cleveland and led the team to its fourth straight Finals against the Warriors before ultimately losing in a sweep.
The following summer, James left for the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent. After spending eight years with the club, he announced in late June that he would sign elsewhere ahead of a record 24th year in the NBA. James will sign a two-year, $8-million contract with the 76ers that also includes a player option.
