Could LeBron Return to Cavaliers via Three Team Deal

Reports sketch a three-team deal that would send LeBron James back to Cleveland, give the Lakers a younger All-Star in Lauri Markkanen, and load the Jazz with picks, expiring salary and veteran wings. The wrinkle is financial engineering: Cleveland must shed salary to escape the second apron, Utah would absorb contracts and picks, and the Lakers would pivot toward building around Luka Dončić. Merlin sees the trade as a plausible short-term script rather than an inevitable ending. Cleveland would gain championship experience without losing Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley or Darius Garland, but depth and roster flexibility would take a hit. Utah gains draft positioning and cap space, while the Lakers get a long-term fit. The move trades certainty for a real shot at a title in LeBron’s home state.