LeBron James is taking time with his family before making a potentially league-altering decision on his record-extending 24th NBA season.
While four suitors have emerged as the most viable options should the 22-time All-Star leave the Los Angeles Lakers, James’ longtime friend, Cuffs The Legend, has no interest in seeing him join LA’s crosstown rival.
LeBron James’ Friend Rejects Idea of Lakers Star Joining Clippers in Free Agency
Since landing a top-five pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Clippers have been gaining steam as a possible destination for James.
NBA insider Marc Stein dubbed the Clippers a “shortlist” option for the 41-year-old in his Sunday newsletter, along with the Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New York Knicks, citing James’ history playing under the team’s coach, Tyronn Lue.
Stein added that there “just simply aren’t many places you can imagine appealing to James for a farewell season and pretty much none that wouldn’t also be confronted by significant contractual challenges if they do decide to make a run at it.”
Since the update, Polymarket has reportedly designated the Clippers the favorites to land James “if he doesn’t stay with the Lakers or return to Cleveland.” NBA Central shared the betting market development on X on Tuesday, and among the responses was a complete dismissal from Cuffs The Legend.
“Rather see Bron Bron retire than play for the Clippers his final season,” Cuffs The Legend wrote.
rather see Bron Bron retire than play for the Clippers his final season https://t.co/UuPqiGwGo7
— 73-9 and THEY LIED (@CuffsTheLegend) May 19, 2026
The Clippers are coming off an underwhelming 42-40 season, but they added youth and energy to their Kawhi Leonard-led roster at the trade deadline, acquiring star guard Darius Garland and impending restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin.
Garland, Leonard, and the No. 5 pick in a stacked draft class could be appealing to James. Meanwhile, he would have the opportunity to try to help the success-starved franchise compete for its first NBA Finals appearance while remaining close to his family in Los Angeles.
Some agreed with Cuffs The Legend’s rejection of the rumor, with ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins quipping that he has a “better chance of losing 100 pounds by this Friday.”
I gotta better chance of losing 100 pounds by this Friday https://t.co/AhxJg6OwsS
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 19, 2026
Sports television personality Molly Qerim similarly gave the organization “no shot” at swaying James.
Clippers? No shot. https://t.co/4u9ot4WpG4
— Molly Qerim (@MollyQerim) May 19, 2026
However, according to PFSN’s Alex Kennedy, the Clippers are a far more realistic landing spot than they are being given credit for.
“The Cavaliers already have $218,072,505 committed for next season. Meanwhile, the Clippers only have $121,420,673 on their books,” Kennedy wrote. “It’s hard to imagine LeBron James leaving the Lakers for the Clippers, but LAC will likely be able to offer the most money.”
The Cavaliers already have $218,072,505 committed for next season. Meanwhile, the Clippers only have $121,420,673 on their books.
It’s hard to imagine LeBron James leaving the Lakers for the Clippers, but LAC will likely be able to offer the most money. https://t.co/ZIAm2GAVES
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) May 19, 2026
That said, James is expected to be in high demand, with his agent, Rich Paul, reportedly telling ESPN’s Shams Charania that “every contender in the NBA, essentially, since the [Lakers’] season ended, has placed a call.”
