LeBron James made a return to Cleveland on Wednesday night as the Cavaliers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, 129-99. This marked his only visit of the 2025-26 season, but the Cavs could be seeing him more often next year.
James will be an unrestricted free agent in 2026, and the Lakers seem to be focusing on building their future around Luka Doncic. While there’s no certainty that James will leave the Lakers or even play next season, the Cavaliers could be a strong option for him.
Los Angeles Lakers Not Focused on LeBron James
Even though he’s still performing well at 41 (averaging 22 points and 6.7 assists per game), it’s evident that LeBron James is no longer the main focus for the Lakers. The team did not extend his contract last summer, following the trade of his close friend Anthony Davis. A recent report by ESPN highlighted that team governor Jeanie Buss has become frustrated with James’ “oversized ego.”
This situation opens up the possibility for James to become a free agent after this season. A trade midseason seems unlikely since James makes $52.6 million, and the Lakers are currently fifth in the Western Conference. However, come summer, both James and the Lakers might part ways, making Cleveland a reasonable destination for him.
He clearly still has fondness for his previous team, getting emotional during a tribute video shown in the third quarter on Wednesday.