Before the season began, it seemed likely that this would be LeBron James’ final year with the Los Angeles Lakers.
He did not sign a contract extension, and with Luka Doncic on the team, the Lakers appeared hesitant to offer him one.
James has considered retirement and openly discussed the end of his career. Still, it would be surprising if he didn’t play at least one more season.
In this context, Joe Vardon and Jason Lloyd from The Athletic reported that people close to the four-time NBA champion believe he might return to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a final season.
LeBron James’ return to Cleveland is ‘obvious’
“LeBron James will be a free agent this summer, and if he decides to play a 24th NBA season, sources say Cleveland would be a clear choice. His salary won’t match the $52.6 million he currently earns in Los Angeles, but at age 41, he understands the market situation for extending his career,” the report stated.
The Cavaliers recently traded Darius Garland for James Harden, giving them some financial flexibility.
A core of LeBron, Harden, and Donovan Mitchell, backed by former Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley, could be competitive in the Eastern Conference, even with two stars nearing the end of their prime.
While James reportedly prefers not to have a farewell tour, if he is planning one last significant move to conclude his career, returning to the Cavaliers could be a fitting choice.