It has become abundantly clear in recent weeks that LeBron James is likely playing out his final season with the Los Angeles Lakers. After eight long years with the franchise, his contract is up this summer, and he’s not acting like a player who plans to return.
According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, James’ grumpiness toward the franchise is due in large part to the realization that he will not be a part of the long-term rebuild with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. In many ways, the Lakers have already moved on from the LeBron James era, and he no longer feels the connection he once had with the organization.
What this means is that James is either headed toward retirement or to a different team to close his historic career. According to Brian Windhorst, there are only four teams that would interest LeBron at this stage of his career: the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, and two undisclosed, mystery teams.
The Cavaliers make the most sense given their prior history and deep-rooted connection to LeBron James. He grew up in Akron, Ohio, not far from Cleveland. He was drafted to the franchise in 2003, where he spent the first seven years of his career. After leaving the Cavaliers in 2010, he returned four years later to lead the franchise to its first-ever championship.
Now, with James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, and Jarrett Allen, the Cavaliers are primed to give James the perfect storybook ending. With the recruiting efforts reportedly already starting, the Cavaliers have made it clear that they want James back home. Now it’s up to him to decide how he wants to end it.
If the Cavaliers don’t work out, the Warriors have long stood as an alternative option. For years, they were LeBron’s biggest rivals, but they have become a prime destination for him to finish his career. It’s a place where he could finish his career on his own terms, without interfering with a younger timeline. Best of all, he wouldn’t even have to leave California. Notably, the opportunity to team up with his friend and fellow NBA superstar Stephen Curry would also be hard to pass up. After so many battles against each other, they’ve built up enough respect that it can almost be called admiration.
Regarding the other two “mystery teams,” we can only guess which locations they might be. The New York Knicks seem like a viable fit, given their location in a prime market and their win-now timeline. A return to the Miami Heat could also be in play, especially since they are linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has long sought to play with James.
Ultimately, only James knows which way he’s leaning, but it’s impossible to ignore the signs. His days as a Laker are likely coming to an end, and what comes next has never been more uncertain. It’s unfamiliar territory for LeBron, who is clearly having a hard time adjusting to his new reality.
