Kendrick Perkins questioned how the Cleveland Cavaliers failed to land LeBron James after the four-time MVP reportedly met with the franchise during his time in Akron this offseason. On the “Road Trippin’ Show,” Perkins argued that Cleveland’s unwillingness to make a larger roster move may have cost the organization an opportunity to reunite James with his hometown team.
“It’s no way and hell that you get a ‘face-to-face’ meeting with Bron,” Perkins said. “He was in Akron for almost three weeks. He met with y’all like how do you mess this up, like seriously.”
Perkins specifically connected Cleveland’s pursuit of James to Jaylen Brown, who was available before being acquired by the Philadelphia 76ers. According to Perkins, acquiring Brown could have been the move that ultimately convinced James to return to Cleveland.
“Jaylen Brown been available,” Perkins said. “If Cleveland would have made a move and traded for Jaylen Brown, nine times out of ten, LeBron James would have been in Cleveland.”
Brown ultimately joined Philadelphia in a blockbuster deal that sent Paul George, two unprotected first-round picks and two second-round selections to Boston. The move left Cleveland with its existing core of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen while adding veteran James Harden at the trade deadline earlier in the season.
Mitchell was Cleveland’s leading scorer in 2025-26, averaging 27.9 points and 5.7 assists in 70 games while shooting 48.3% from the field and 36.4% from three-point range. Mobley averaged 18.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 65 games while shooting 54.6% from the field.
The Cavaliers finished the regular season 52-30, good for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. They then defeated the Detroit Pistons 4-3 in the conference semifinals before being swept by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals.
Perkins argued that Cleveland’s decision to retain its young stars could have long-term consequences, particularly after the team fell short of the NBA Finals despite home-court advantage in the first two rounds.
“Y’all didn’t want to part ways with one of your guys,” Perkins said. “Whether that was Evan Mobley or Donovan Mitchell, you did not want part ways. And now all of sudden, you probably won’t win another championship for the next 8 to 9 years.”
James would have added another established scorer and playmaker to a Cavaliers team that already had Mitchell and Mobley. Instead, Cleveland enters the 2026-27 season with Harden, Mitchell, Mobley and Allen as its primary established pieces.
