LeBron James has been the talk of the town for more than two decades now. Even during the offseason, where he might play next year is a talking point among sports fans. James has been linked with an exit, especially after the arrival of Luka Dončić.
The Lakers recently signed Dončić to a $165 million contract extension, and most of his teammates attended the announcement. But James’ absence sparked rumors again, as fans claimed it was the end of his stint in Los Angeles.
The superstar has remained silent on his future so far. He has been linked with a trade to several teams, including the Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, and, shockingly, the Dallas Mavericks. If James joins the likes of Anthony Davis, Cooper Flagg, and Kyrie Irving in Dallas, it would undoubtedly create a superteam.
Why Are the Cleveland Cavaliers Targeting LeBron James?
Another one of James’ former franchises has also been heavily linked with a trade for the four-time NBA champion. An anonymous NBA executive has predicted that the Cleveland Cavaliers will pursue a trade for their former superstar.
“Next season is a big year for Cleveland. Tyrese [Haliburton] is out. Jayson [Tatum] is most likely out. The East is wide open. It’s there for the Cavaliers to take. They should win the conference next season. There’s no excuses,” he said to Cavaliers Nation.
He added, “I’ll tell you this right now: If the Cavaliers don’t win it all next season, I can see them going hard after LeBron. Everyone knows Dan [Gilbert] wants to win a title without him, but if they can’t win the championship next season, adding LeBron to that group would be a cheat code. I know he’ll be 42, but it’s LeBron [James].”
The executive believes James will remain an elite force even at 42 years old, which may be true to an extent. He averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds during the 2024-25 season, playing in 70 games. For a 40-year-old, James certainly looks to be in great shape.
What Is the Biggest Obstacle for LeBron James and the Lakers?
An NBA analyst recently pointed out that there is a slight chance that James will be traded to another team. He remains an attractive option for any team in the league right now, but there isn’t a single team that could lure the Lakers into a deal. Rob Pelinka is smart enough to only consider deals that would strengthen the Lakers’ roster in return.
“He recognizes he’s not their priority anymore.”@EthanJSkolnick tells @BGeltzNBA and @SamMitchellNBA why LeBron James’ time in LA might be coming to an end soon. pic.twitter.com/srfk4D3PYc
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) August 9, 2025
If the Cavaliers were serious about James, they would have to part ways with some key players. Donovan Mitchell will surely be off the table, but Darius Garland may be an attractive option for the Lakers’ offense. Despite his injury struggles, Garland is an insanely versatile player who would help Dončić on the offense end.
It still remains a far-fetched possibility that the Cavaliers pursue their former player, but it’s a fun one regardless. It will be interesting to see if they try to capitalize on James’ remaining years in a desperate attempt to win another NBA title.
