Agents, Execs Believe Cleveland Cavaliers Are Only Team LeBron James Would Seriously Consider Joining Outside Of Los Angeles Lakers

Most agents and NBA executives believe the Cleveland Cavaliers are the only team LeBron James would seriously consider joining outside of the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Yaron Weitzman of Bleacher Report.

James becomes an unrestricted free agent next offseason for the first time since 2018. He has played for the Cavaliers twice and is the best player in franchise history.

“If he wants to do a farewell tour like Kobe Bryant did, it’s the only other team that makes sense,” an NBA exec said, via Weitzman. “LeBron cares about narratives. He doesn’t want to be like Michael Jordan on the Wizards.”

James was born and raised in Akron, Ohio. He guided Cleveland to its only championship in 2016 against the 73-9 Golden State Warriors.

The leading scorer in NBA history, James has a no-trade clause in his contract. No one expects him to request a trade from the Lakers in 2025-26, but James can leave Los Angeles for Cleveland next offseason in free agency if he wants to.

“A farewell tour with the Cavs makes sense,” an NBA agent said, via Weitzman. “And it’s a way for LeBron to save face and say this is what he wanted. But he’s not getting a big payday from them.” 

A four-time champion, James has played for the Cavaliers (twice), Miami Heat and Lakers. He enters the 2025-26 season with career averages of 27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks. The four-time Finals MVP is the only player in NBA history to rank top five all-time in points and assists.

James, 40, is the oldest active player in the NBA. He turns 41 in December. The four-time MVP averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.6 blocks for the Lakers last season.

If James joined the Cavaliers next offseason, Cleveland would have LeBron, Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. That would be a lethal starting five.