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.
