LeBron is currently in his 23rd NBA season, the longest career anyone has ever had in NBA history. While he continues to produce at an elite level, retirement is no longer a general idea. Whether it’s one more season or two, many around the league believe the end is closer than ever.
Speculation around where the four-time NBA champion will finish his legendary NBA career is heating up once again, and once again, the Cleveland Cavaliers are back in the spotlight.
Will LeBron James Join the Cleveland Cavaliers for His 24th Season?
James exercised his $52.6 million player option to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers this season, but no extension has been offered. His future beyond this year remains wide open, as the King looks for one last championship ring.
On a recent episode of the Road Trippin’ podcast, NBA champion and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins dropped a bombshell report on James that immediately turned heads.
“Heading back to the land anyway. If I’m Bron, I’m on it,” Perkins said. “My sources told me that Donovan Mitchell and James Harden already are starting the push to go and recruit LeBron James this offseason.”
Perkins added that Harden has been particularly vocal since joining Cleveland.
“My sources tell me soon as James Harden got on the phone or got around the team, the initial was, ‘Hey, we about to make this run. We about to go all out. But we want LeBron James.'”
Harden was traded to the Cavaliers before the Feb. 5 deadline, giving Cleveland another high-level scorer and playmaker. With Harden now in the mix and Donovan Mitchell already established as the team’s star, the idea of adding LeBron suddenly feels less far-fetched.
Cleveland would also have the financial flexibility to make a move of King James’ size as well. The Cavaliers have saved roughly $50 million in potential cap space via salary savings and luxury tax penalties. That includes Darius Garland’s $39.4 million salary and the acquisition of Dennis Schröder and Keon Ellis (a combined $16.4 million) in a deal that sent De’Andre Hunter to the Kings.
That said, a return to Cleveland would mark James’ third stint with the franchise.
The Cavaliers drafted him No. 1 overall in 2003, launching one of the most iconic careers in sports history. He left in 2010 for the Miami Heat in the infamous “Decision,” returned in 2014, and delivered Cleveland its first-ever NBA championship in 2016. He departed again in 2018 to join the Lakers.
Now, as he approaches what could be his 24th NBA season, the Cavaliers reportedly remain interested in welcoming him back, potentially for one final run where it all began.
