Home · Sports · Nov 6 archive
Jason Kidd Claims LeBron Would Make Cavs 8-1
· Confirmed
In Short: Jason Kidd, who was recently fired as head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, made waves during an appearance on ESPN's 'NBA Today' when he claimed that LeBron James would make the Cleveland Cavaliers an 8-1 team if he returned.
Kidd, who has a history with LeBron, shared his thoughts on the potential impact of the star player's return. 'If (LeBron) was on the Cavs, they would be 8-1 and Philly might be in the.500 range,' Kidd said, via Oh No He Didn’t on X.
LeBron James, currently playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, is averaging 15.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.4 assists this season, far from the heavy lifting he did in Cleveland and Los Angeles.
The Cavaliers, who were eliminated from the 2026 NBA Playoffs in the Eastern Conference Finals, are reportedly considering hiring Kidd as their new head coach. ESPN’s Aaron Goldhammer reports that the Cavaliers could be interested in firing current coach J.B. Bickerstaff and hiring Kidd.
The franchise is rumored to be looking to acquire LeBron James or Giannis Antetokounmpo while facing the potential free agency decision of midseason acquisition James Harden.
Charles Oakley, a former NBA player and coach, reportedly told a Cleveland bakery owner that LeBron is 95% returning to Cleveland, though this claim has not been substantiated.
Kidd’s comments come as the Cavaliers are in a state of flux following their playoff exit. The team is exploring options to improve their roster, and LeBron’s return would be a significant boost.
Kidd’s experience with LeBron dates back to their time on the 2008 Olympic team and later when Kidd was an assistant coach with the Lakers during their 2020 championship run.
While Kidd’s record as a head coach is mixed, with a 205-205 record in five seasons with the Mavericks, his relationship with LeBron and his championship experience with the Lakers make him an intriguing candidate for the Cavaliers.
Kidd’s comments highlight the potential impact LeBron could have on the Cavaliers, but the team’s pursuit of him remains speculative.
The Cavaliers’ decision to consider Kidd as their new coach is tied into their pursuit of LeBron, according to sources.
What this adds
The Cavaliers' pursuit of LeBron James is speculative and has not been officially confirmed.
What's confirmed
- Kidd, who has a history with LeBron, shared his thoughts on the potential impact of the star player's return. 'If (LeBron) was on the Cavs, they would be 8-1 and Philly might be in the.500 range,' Kidd said, via Oh No He Didn’t on X.
- LeBron James, currently playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, is averaging 15.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.4 assists this season, far from the heavy lifting he did in Cleveland and Los Angeles.
- The Cavaliers, who were eliminated from the 2026 NBA Playoffs in the Eastern Conference Finals, are reportedly considering hiring Kidd as their new head coach. ESPN’s Aaron Goldhammer reports that the Cavaliers could be interested in firing current coach J.B. Bickerstaff and hiring Kidd.
- The franchise is rumored to be looking to acquire LeBron James or Giannis Antetokounmpo while facing the potential free agency decision of midseason acquisition James Harden.
- Charles Oakley, a former NBA player and coach, reportedly told a Cleveland bakery owner that LeBron is 95% returning to Cleveland, though this claim has not been substantiated.
- Kidd’s comments come as the Cavaliers are in a state of flux following their playoff exit. The team is exploring options to improve their roster, and LeBron’s return would be a significant boost.
- Kidd’s experience with LeBron dates back to their time on the 2008 Olympic team and later when Kidd was an assistant coach with the Lakers during their 2020 championship run.
- While Kidd’s record as a head coach is mixed, with a 205-205 record in five seasons with the Mavericks, his relationship with LeBron and his championship experience with the Lakers make him an intriguing candidate for the Cavaliers.
- Kidd’s comments highlight the potential impact LeBron could have on the Cavaliers, but the team’s pursuit of him remains speculative.
- The Cavaliers’ decision to consider Kidd as their new coach is tied into their pursuit of LeBron, according to sources.
What's still developing
- The Cavaliers can’t fire Atkinson and hire Kidd without having an assurance that LeBron will be joining, as the 41-year-old forward will likely have to accept a minimum contract to return to the cap-strapped Cavaliers.
- But given how rich a retirement season on a competitive Cavs team will be for the narrative of his career, many are expecting this to be a real option he considers.
- He was on the Lakers staff that won the 2020 title with LeBron, so he knows what a team looks like with him running the show.
- Before the NBA Cup game, a Hall of Famer who once coached LeBron weighed in on what he really means to a team.
- LeBron gave serious thought to a third run with the Cavs before choosing Philly.
- “Now, can he stay healthy like LeBron. And then I think all greats are judged by championships with championships, not so much stats, but that’s the one stat that will stand out and hopefully, Cooper will achieve that,” Kidd said.
- Later in the season, Kidd used him as a small forward, using the development he had early in the season to be a weapon when he returned in his natural position.
- Kidd made it a point to help Flagg reach his astronomical potential in the past season.
- In his interview with All-Star Magazine, Kidd said that he thinks Flagg is on pace to a LeBron James trajectory after overseeing his development in his rookie year in the NBA.
- Kidd, as the Mavericks head coach, put Flagg as the team’s point guard in extended stretches during the early part of his rookie season.