At 41, LeBron James is nearing the end of his storied career. But with a return to the Lakers looking increasingly unlikely, his future has become entirely uncertain as multiple teams prepare to make a pitch for the four-time champion. Now, according to the latest intel from ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, there’s a growing sentiment that James will be headed to Cleveland this summer to experience the ultimate send-off.
“I don’t know if LeBron knows what he’s going to do, and I certainly don’t know what he’s going to do. I know what the ramping speculation is around the league: this summer there’s gonna be a reunion and potentially a retirement tour for the ages back home again with the Cleveland Cavaliers next year,” said MacMahon on NBA Today.
LeBron is currently in the final year of a two-year, $101.4 million maximum contract. He’s sitting on an expiring deal for the first time, setting up for, perhaps, the last free agency period of his career. As much as he wants to stay with the Lakers, their pivot toward Luka Doncic has reshuffled the timeline, pushing James out while making him more expendable than ever.
With the trade deadline passed, the Lakers have no choice but to finish the season with James, but all bets are off after that. As an NBA legend with averages of 22.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game on 50.2% shooting and 30.5% shooting from three this season, James can still play elite basketball, and multiple teams are going to pursue his services.
While retirement is still an option, one last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers makes for the most fitting ending. He began his career there in 2003, and it’s the place where he first rose to NBA stardom. When he later returned in 2016, he led the franchise to its first-ever NBA title.
He left the Cavs for the second time in 2018, and he’s been with the Lakers ever since. Nobody imagined he’d ever go back there, but they are in a good position to offer James the kind of ending he deserves. With Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen, Cleveland has the pieces of a true contender; now it’s just about building the chemistry to get to that next level. While some have their doubts, LeBron believes he can fit on any NBA roster.
As a guy who can fit anywhere, James would be a great addition to the starting lineup, and some recruitment efforts have already begun. Already, reports indicate that James Harden and Donovan Mitchell are convincing James to return to Cleveland, but where he decides to go is totally in his hands. Whether it’s retirement or a return to his old stomping grounds, we can expect a massive retirement tour for the King, one that rivals the one they gave Kobe Bryant during his final season.
