Donovan Mitchell on LeBron James’ potential final game in Cleveland

LeBron James returned home on his annual trip to Northeast Ohio, as The Cleveland Cavaliers are preparing to host the Los Angeles Lakers on national television at 7 p.m. ET. The Cavs are on a four-game winning streak on the season, while LA has won four of its last five games and is firmly in the Western Conference playoffs. Each team has 28 wins coming into the highly anticipated matchup, which could be The King’s Swan Song at Rocket Arena.

“You say, well, that might be his last game here; he might as well have four more years left as great as he is playing,” Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson said Monday. “I mean, who’s done this? Like Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar), I guess? Who else? LeBron does it, handles the ball a lot, plays guard. It’s going to be fun. I can’t wait for him to be in the arena.”

“To be a part of probably his last game here, it’s going to be a spectacle,” Donovan Mitchell he added. “He’s going to be everything he deserves to be, and it’s always going to be great to compete against him in that light. He’s done a lot for this city. Being from here is just as impressive, to be honest. So for me, enjoy the moment and let yourself be a kid, but also realize that the only way to honor him is to go out there the hardest way and win it.”

The Cavs hope to follow in LeBron’s footsteps with another championship

Apart from the latest rumors about Cleveland is open to a LeBron reunionmembers of the current team were asked what the 41-year-old’s career means for basketball, the franchise and the city.

“We’re trying to replicate what they did, what he did here: win a championship, bring a championship back to the city,” Mitchell said Monday. “You see a picture of me wearing the jersey and talking about Ahmaad (Crump) being the opening guy when he was here. So to be who I am here, to watch that, it’s pretty wild for me. It’s always surreal. It’s always a blessing.”

Evan Mobley, who unfortunately will not be able to participate due to another left calf strainwants to see the four-time NBA MVP go “as far as he wants to go.”

“Since I’ve been alive, he’s basically run the league,” Mobley said. “So him being here and coming back to Earth, that’s definitely big. But we’re going to focus on what we have to focus on. We’ve got to take care of business, get another win. I think it’s going to be great for the crowd and for the fans, but we’ve got to be locked in.”

“I know the Cavs fans are just celebrating him,” Atkinson added. “Every game he plays, every game we have an opportunity to compete against him, to compete in the same arena. It’s a celebration. And I’ve always felt like LeBron, who is great, has always played with class. He respects, respects the other team, respects his opponent and acts with class. Great for the NBA. I can’t wait.”

Fittingly, dressed in dark blue jerseys with their older midcourt logo, the Cavs will face the Lakers on their the ninth classic edition of the evening.

“To be honest, it’s crazy that they’re called classics,” Mitchell said. “It’s just one of those things where you appreciate his greatness, you appreciate what he’s done for the city, but let’s go out there and compete and have fun.”

LeBron and the Lakers are halfway through a season long eight-game road trip.

After Wednesday’s game, Cleveland is set to begin its own five-game regular season road trip out West.