Photo by Ryan Sirius Sun/Getty ImagesLeBron James reportedly did not like the prospect of playing with Donovan Mitchell on the Cleveland Cavaliers while evaluating his offseason free agency decision.James joined the Philadelphia 76ers instead of going to Cleveland for a third stint with the franchise. He couldve been the final piece on a title-winning team, but chose to do that for the 76ers instead.The Cavaliers couldve landed LeBron, but two major decisions reportedly turned James away from a homecoming.LeBron James wouldve preferred playing with Darius Garland and Jaylen BrownIf the Cavaliers signed LeBron, he would likely be the small forward ahead of a James Harden and Mitchell backcourt.Brandon Scoop B Robinson revealed that LeBron would have preferred if the Cavs kept Darius Garland instead of Harden and if they had acquired Brown from the Celtics by sending out Mitchell.If the Cavs still had Garland in Cleveland and moved Donovan in a trade to Jaylen Brown, theres a good chance that LeBron James would be in Cleveland today next to Garland, Jaylen Brown, and Evan Mobley.LeBrons disapproval of the Garland-Harden trade was made clear when Rich Paul unveiled LeBrons shortlist of teams he was considering, with his infamous whiteboard making it clear Garlands absence was a negative.Cavaliers are all-in on Donovan Mitchell, even if LeBron James doesnt like itTrading Garland for Harden and then extending Mitchell on a four-year, $273 million extension shows the Cavaliers view Mitchell as their franchise cornerstone.Photo by Jason Miller/Getty ImagesThe Cavs think he will be the one to return them to the championship mountaintop, so trading him for Brown was an untenable thought for the franchise.There is a chance James wouldve accepted Browns absence on the Cavaliers if Garland was still there, but that ship sailed in February when they acquired Harden as a pass-first point guard instead of Garland and Mitchells stylistic crossover as undersized score-first guards.Mitchell averaged 27.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.7 assists last season while leading the Cavs to the Eastern Conference Finals.Mitchell will have to step his game up to repeat that in this years more competitive East, especially with no major offseason additions incoming.Read more:Steph Curry seemingly accepts 2026-27 season being a gap year for Warriors after LeBron James snubLeBron James expected to create a $400+ million impact in Philadelphia after joining the 76ersMagic Johnson shares two major questions for the 76ers to answer after signing LeBron James