Cavs, NBA Can Wait, But LeBron James Will Play For Lakers Next Season. We Think.

It’s summertime in the NBA, which can only mean one thing. Namely, it’s time to speculate where LeBron James will play next.

Well, here’s a hint: It won’t be Cleveland.

Here’s another hint: It will be in Los Angeles with the Lakers.

Yeah, I know. That’s boring for the rumor mill. It also seems to be boring for James and his camp. They know what they’re doing here. They’re keeping the dream alive. And by that, I mean the “dream” of some Cavaliers fans, not to mention fans of about 17 other teams.

But James isn’t leaving L.A. He opted into a contract worth $52.6 million. He has a full season of Luka Doncic ahead. The Lakers even went out and got a much-needed starting center in former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton.

So what’s the problem, LeBron? Bottom line, there isn’t one. And James isn’t going anywhere. He isn’t coming back to Cleveland. 

And I say it all with a great deal of confidence. Or something.

Truth is, I have no idea what will happen with LeBron. That’s the way he wants it. He was invited to go on ESPN for an interview Saturday night. He could have done just that, expressed his love for the Lakers, and put all of this to rest.

Instead, James reportedly declined because he had nothing to say.

Oh boy. I’ve been remarkably critical of the rumors that James could leave L.A. I’ve laughed them off. But I also know this is the NBA and this is LeBron. Stranger things have happened.

Also on Saturday, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that agent Rich Paul said four teams have called about James. I’ve heard the Cavs were not among them, though my source admitted he couldn’t say for sure.

It makes sense if not. The Cavs aren’t trading anyone from their Core Four. They wouldn’t be able to make a deal work financially, or even come close. Their interest — if they have any — would be only if the Lakers and James agreed to a contract buyout.

That’s not happening, either. Or something.

But I should add this: The Cavs think they can win a championship, as currently constructed, without LeBron. They finished 64-18 last season. They’ve added some reinforcements. More smaller moves could be on the way, and I predict for sure there will be more between now and the playoffs in April 2026.

The Cavs don’t believe they need James and they very well could be right.

LeBron will be 41 years old by the time the playoffs start. He’s still a fantastic player. That said, if the Lakers bought out his contract (and again, not happening) … well, it’d be because they feel as if James is no longer great. He’s just good and not helping them reach their goals.

That and that alone is why buyouts happen. You’re paying someone to go away.

Is that a player you really want? Well, maybe.

Look, LeBron could indeed put the Cavs over the top — if everything worked out perfectly. On paper, Cleveland would be the team to beat. But the days of big names saving your franchise are likely over. The Oklahoma City Thunder won the championship as a team in the truest sense. The Indiana Pacers reached the Finals in the same fashion.

James is good, but he’s not the same guy he once was. He’s not the 2016 version of James — or anything all that close.

His best fit is in L.A. He knows it, and that is where he will play next season. Or something.