The results of ESPN’s annual offseason survey are out, and some interesting predictions have been made about LeBron James‘ future. A total of 20 NBA coaches, executives, and scouts were asked where James would be at the start of the 2026-27 season, and here were the results.
Los Angeles Lakers: 7
Retired: 5
Cleveland Cavaliers: 4
Golden State Warriors: 2
Dallas Mavericks: 1
Miami Heat: 1
The most common predictions are the more realistic ones.
There has been talk about James leaving the Los Angeles Lakers for some time now, but he has ended up staying put. The 40-year-old is entering his eighth season with the team, and this is the longest he has been with one franchise for a stretch.
James’ family is now well settled in Los Angeles, and there could well be some hesitation about uprooting them just for a year or two. He could still very well choose to leave after his contract expires in 2026, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility that he decides to stick around.
There has actually been some chatter about the Lakers moving on from James after the 2025-26 campaign. You’d imagine, though, that they wouldn’t kick him out if he wished to stay.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka has left the door open for James to retire with the team. Pelinka also stated that all the discussions with the 21-time All-Star and his camp have been positive and supportive.
As for retirement, James stated it is coming, but he’s not there yet. There is gas left in the tank, as he averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game in 2024-25.
James could well carry on for a couple more years, but retirement in 2026 after a 23rd season cannot be ruled out. He has to stop at some point and isn’t going to wait till his production falls off a cliff.
If James decides to carry on beyond 2026 and chooses to leave the Lakers, the most realistic landing spot is probably the Cleveland Cavaliers. James, an Akron native, has had two separate stints with the Cavaliers in his career. He led them to their first NBA title in 2016 and could well do it again if he returns with how good that team is.
The Cavaliers went 64-18 last season but lost in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. James could be that piece that helps them get over the line.
While these three scenarios are realistic, the same can’t necessarily be said for the other three in that survey.
The Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, and Miami Heat have all been linked with James in recent years. Is he interested in them, though?
Well, James could have potentially been traded to the Warriors in February 2024, but he and his camp weren’t interested in the move. There hasn’t been any suggestion that he has changed his stance since. The Warriors have reportedly looked into making this trade multiple times over the last 18 months, but have failed.
As for the Heat, James has shown no interest in a return to Miami over the years. He won two titles with the franchise in 2012 and 2013, but doesn’t appear to have the greatest of relationships with team president Pat Riley at this point.
Lastly, we get to the Mavericks, and NBA insider Marc Stein did report that James has genuine curiosity about playing in Dallas. That’s all there is, though, curiosity.
Of course, we could come back to this survey in a year and be shocked by how one of these predictions was on point. If there is one thing we have learned about James over the years, it’s that we should expect the unexpected.
