Danny Cunningham: LeBron's Return Makes Cavs Clear #2 in the East
Danny Cunningham: LeBron's Return Makes Cavs Clear #2 in the East  
Podcast: The Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima
Published On: Mon Jul 06 2026
Description: Locked on Cavs host Danny Cunningham tells Ken and Anthony he believes LeBron James will end up back with the Cavs, though he stresses nothing is finalized and points to a critical window this week before things could start to feel uneasy. Cunningham pushes back on national takes calling the fit bad, arguing LeBron's playmaking, James Harden's adaptability, and Evan Mobley's defense would all mesh well, and predicts Jarrett Allen gets traded for more shooting and perimeter defense if LeBron signs. He also defends the Cavs' refusal to include Mobley in trade talks, comparing his value to what Jaylen Brown fetched, and says Kenny Atkinson's varied coaching experience gives him a real chance to handle a LeBron-led roster. The conversation closes with a broader discussion on how analytics have reshaped the NBA, with Cunningham noting the best teams use the data as a tool rather than a rigid rulebook.