LeBron James Can Only Return to Cleveland Cavaliers if He Gets Bought Out by Los Angeles Lakers Before Start of Training Camp

LeBron James can only return to the Cleveland Cavaliers if the NBA icon gets bought out by the Los Angeles Lakers before training camp.

NBA insiders Dan Woike and Joe Vardon of The Athletic have the details.

“If the Lakers were to buy him out of his contract before the start of training camp, he would be free to sign with the Cavs,” Woike and Vardon wrote. “But if the Lakers were to buy him out during the regular season, he would be barred from signing with Cleveland because of restrictions on teams above the second apron.”

James will make $52.6 million next season. He hasn’t had trade or buyout talks with the Lakers. The NBA legend, who has a no-trade clause in his contract, will begin next season in Los Angeles.

A four-time MVP, James has played for the Cavaliers twice. He’s the best player in franchise history and guided the organization to its only title in 2016 against the Golden State Warriors.

After playing for Cleveland from 2014-15 to 2017-18, James signed with the Lakers. Los Angeles won the 2020 championship against the Miami Heat at the Walt Disney World bubble behind James and Anthony Davis.

The Lakers traded Davis to the Dallas Mavericks last season for Luka Doncic. Despite having James, Doncic and home-court advantage, Los Angeles lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games.

Cleveland had the best record in the East last season. However, the team lost to the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the postseason in five games.

James will become an unrestricted free agent after next season for the first time since 2018. The four-time Finals MVP can request a trade from the Lakers during the 2025-26 season if he’s unhappy.

Since James has a no-trade clause in his contract, he has the option of picking his next destination in a potential trade request scenario.