LeBron James could leave the Los Angeles Lakers for the Cleveland Cavaliers this offseason.
LeBron James might finish his NBA career where it started.
According to Joe Vardon and Jason Lloyd of The Athletic, James could leave the Los Angeles Lakers and sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers this offseason.
James, 41, becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason for the first time since 2018.
The Cavaliers traded Darius Garland to the Los Angeles Clippers for James Harden and sent De'Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings for Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder. James has a rapport with Harden and Schroder. He's also close with Donovan Mitchell.
If James doesn't retire from the NBA after this season, a third stint with his hometown Cavaliers could happen.
After all, the Lakers are building around Luka Doncic now and multiple reports have stated that they are saving cap space for Giannis Antetokounmpo, who could get traded by the Milwaukee Bucks in the offseason if he doesn't get moved at this year's trade deadline.
James, of course, is the best player in Cavaliers history. He led the franchise to the 2016 championship against the 73-9 Golden State Warriors. It's the only title in Cleveland basketball history.
When the Lakers faced the Cavaliers last week, James received a standing ovation and tribute video and he was seen crying. Lakers fans never accepted James because of their devotion to Kobe Bryant. A James mural in Los Angeles was vandalized after The King signed with the Lakers in 2018.
James should finish his NBA career with the Cavaliers. Cleveland could start Harden, Mitchell, James, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. That's a dangerous starting lineup.
Yes, James is the oldest active player in the NBA. Yes, he turns 42 next season. But this is LeBron James we are talking about. He's not a normal old player.
For the Lakers this season, James is averaging 22.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game. Those are numbers guys in their prime can't put up.
It will be fascinating to see if James retires after this season or decides to continue playing. If he still wants to play, LBJ should come home this summer.
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