Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: LeBron James Once Hinted At Two Teams Where He Could Make An Immediate Impact; Trade Rumors Are Heating Up
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis > LeBron James Once Hinted At Two Teams Where He Could Make An Immediate Impact; Trade Rumors Are Heating Up

LeBron James Once Hinted At Two Teams Where He Could Make An Immediate Impact; Trade Rumors Are Heating Up

LeBron James once name-dropped Miami and Golden State, now, those words feel more real than ever.

Vishwesha Kumar
Jun 30, 2025
3 Min Read
Share

Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

A resurfaced clip from a 2022 episode of The Shop has suddenly become relevant again, as LeBron James’ future with the Los Angeles Lakers grows increasingly uncertain. In the clip, James made a rare comment about potential destinations outside of Los Angeles, saying:

“If there’s one team that I know I could make an immediate impact in the postseason and we could be very special, it would either be Miami or Golden State. For sure.”

At the time, the Lakers had missed the playoffs in humiliating fashion, while both the Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors were contenders. The Heat reached the Eastern Conference Finals before falling in seven games to Boston, and the Warriors ultimately won the 2022 NBA title by defeating those same Celtics in six games. 

Now, over two years later, the statement feels more prophetic than playful, especially amid growing trade buzz surrounding the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.

LeBron recently opted into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025–26 season, committing to a 23rd year in the league. However, his agent Rich Paul added fuel to the fire with a subtle warning that not all is well behind the scenes.

This message has widely been interpreted as a challenge to the Lakers front office: build a true contender now, or risk losing LeBron, either through retirement or, for the first time in his career, a trade.

While trade rumors are now swirling, ESPN’s Bobby Marks revealed that LeBron has shockingly drawn little to no interest on the trade market. The primary reason? His massive salary, age, and the fact that he’s on an expiring contract. 

That hasn’t stopped fans and media from imagining blockbuster scenarios, particularly involving the Miami Heat or Golden State Warriors, the two teams LeBron himself once name-dropped. In Miami, a reunion with Pat Riley could ignite one final title push. 

In Golden State, a dream partnership with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green would create an offensive juggernaut with unrivaled basketball IQ and championship pedigree.

However, there’s one twist: if LeBron were to become a free agent or negotiate a buyout with the Lakers, all 29 teams would line up to sign him. In that scenario, teams wouldn’t need to give up assets to land a player who, even at 40, averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds last season.

For now, LeBron remains a Laker, but the noise is louder than ever. He’s watching. He’s waiting. And if the Lakers don’t act decisively, the words he once said about Miami and Golden State might echo into reality.

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Golden State Warriors ArchiveLeBron JamesLos Angeles Lakers ArchiveMiami Heat Archive
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByVishwesha Kumar
Follow:
Vishwesha Kumar is a staff writer for Fadeaway World from Bengaluru, India. Graduating with a Bachelor of Technology from PES University in 2020, Vishwesha leverages his analytical skills to enhance his sports journalism, particularly in basketball. His experience includes writing over 3000 articles across respected publications such as Essentially Sports and Sportskeeda, which have established him as a prolific figure in the sports writing community.Vishwesha’s love for basketball was ignited by watching LeBron James, inspiring him to delve deeply into the nuances of the game. This personal passion translates into his writing, allowing him to connect with readers through relatable narratives and insightful analyses. He holds a unique and controversial opinion that Russell Westbrook is often underrated rather than overrated. Despite Westbrook's flaws, Vishwesha believes that his triple-double achievements and relentless athleticism are often downplayed, making him one of the most unique and electrifying players in NBA history, even if his style of play can sometimes be polarizing. 
Previous Article LeBron James Surprisingly Drawing ‘Little To No Trade Interest’ Around The NBA
Next Article D’Angelo Russell Could Sign A Team-Friendly Deal With Mavericks; Two More Moves Could Happen In Dallas
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Golden State Warriors Trade Rumors

Warriors Target Bam Adebayo As A Long Term Solution For Center Position

October 3, 2025
Minnesota Timberwolves News & Analysis

Anthony Edwards Gets Real On Putting “Belt To A**” On Elite Players Like Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Stephen Curry

October 3, 2025
Golden State Warriors News & Analysis

Steve Kerr Took A Page From Phil Jackson’s Book To Avoid Contract Distractions During Warriors’ Season

October 3, 2025
Feb 5, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (11) looks on during the third quarter against the Orlando Magic at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
Brooklyn Nets Trade Rumors

NBA Trade Idea: Kings Land Nets Center To Provide Domantas Sabonis With Support In Frontcourt

October 3, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?