LeBron James returned to Cleveland Wednesday night time because the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, 129-99. It was his solely go to of the 2025-26 season, however the Cavs might be seeing him much more subsequent season.
James will likely be an unrestricted free agent in 2026 and his present group appears poised to maneuver ahead centered round Luka Doncic. There is no assure the NBA’s all-time scoring chief will go away the Lakers, and even play subsequent season, however the Cavs could be James’ greatest various.
Los Angeles Lakers aren’t centered round LeBron James
Whereas he is nonetheless enjoying nicely at age 41 (22 factors, 6.7 assists per recreation), it is clear that LeBron James is now not the first focus of the Lakers group. The Lakers did not provide him an extension final summer time, months after they traded James’ greatest buddy on the group and fellow Klutch Sports activities shopper, Anthony Davis. A latest investigative report by ESPN’s Baxter Holmes revealed that group governor Jeanie Buss had grown bored with James’ “oversized ego.”
Meaning James can grow to be a free agent after this season. A midseason commerce is unlikely, provided that James makes $52.6M and the Lakers are nonetheless fifth within the Western Convention. However in the summertime, James and the Lakers would possibly nicely half methods, and Cleveland is without doubt one of the few locations that make sense for James.
He clearly nonetheless has affection for his previous dwelling, tearing up when the Cavaliers performed a tribute video for him within the third quarter Wednesday.
