NBA execs believe Cavs only team LeBron James would consider if he leaves Lakers

Could LeBron James finish his career back where it started? Some around the NBA think so.

According to Yaron Weitzman of Bleacher Report, most agents and executives believe the Cavaliers are the only team James would seriously consider joining outside of the Lakers.

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

James, 40, grew up in Akron and is without a doubt the best player in Cavs history after delivering the franchise’s lone title in 2016. He’s played for Cleveland twice already, and with free agency looming next summer — his first chance to choose since 2018 — speculation about a return is inevitable.

“A farewell tour with the Cavs makes sense,” one agent added. “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.”

James has a no-trade clause and isn’t expected to leave the Lakers via trade. But he’ll be free to walk in 2026, if he decides it’s time to finish in Cleveland.

For now, he remains the NBA’s oldest active player, turning 41 in December. The league’s all-time leading scorer still put up 24.4 points, 7.8 boards and 8.2 assists last season.

Whether that last chapter comes in Los Angeles or back in Ohio … well, that’s the narrative LeBron will eventually decide.

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