LeBron James will undoubtedly leave behind an unforgettable legacy as one of the best players in NBA history when he decides to call it a career.
The main question surrounding his current situation is whether he’ll remain with the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s either that, or a potential reunion with his hometown team Cleveland Cavaliers.
Insider Does Not Dismiss a LeBron James-Cavaliers Reunion
James is going through the twilight years of his incredible career at age 41. 23 years in, he continues to play at a high level as one of the best veteran stars in the game.
His presence has allowed the Lakers to have a strong ceiling since his arrival in 2018, making the playoffs five times. This also includes a championship run in 2020 and a second Western Conference Finals appearance in 2023.
However, as James is halfway through his eighth season with the franchise, there are fans who wonder where he’ll actually retire. His current contract expires at the end of the season after he decided to accept his player option and not sign a contract extension as he did in past offseasons.
This prompted team insider Dave McMenamin to look into the scenario of James moving on from the storied franchise. Among the potential destinations the 41-year-old forward could move to, the Cavaliers pop up as a realistic option.
“James is now in his eighth season with the Lakers — his longest uninterrupted stint with a team in his career — but his future in Los Angeles remains uncertain, with his contract set to expire at the end of the campaign and the franchise set to move forward with Luka Doncic as its star of the present and the future,” McMenamin wrote.
“Multiple team and league sources told ESPN the Cavaliers would gladly welcome James back this summer if he wanted to return to Cleveland for his 24th NBA season and third stint with the team.”
James Continues To Carry the Lakers With His Solid Performance
James ending his career with the hometown team that drafted him would be a great way to go. Although it would only happen in the next offseason, as the Cavaliers have second- apron restrictions this year, it presents a solid opportunity for the franchise to bring back the legend who brought them their first-ever title in 2016.
In the meantime, James will look to help Los Angeles have a high seed in the playoff picture. Having played in 28 games this season, he is averaging 22.4 points, 6.7 assists, six rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game. He is shooting 50.7% from the field, including 32.7% from beyond the arc, and 74.5% from the free-throw line.
Los Angeles boasts a 28-17 record so far, sitting in fifth place in the Western Conference standings. They are one game above the Phoenix Suns and the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, they trail the Houston Rockets by 0.5 games and the Denver Nuggets by two games.
The Lakers are halfway through their long eight-game trip, beginning the second half of that slate. They face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. ET and the Washington Wizards on Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. ET.
