Sources: Cavaliers Only Interested In LeBron James In Buyout Situation

Unless you have been living under a rock, you know that NBA legend LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are not on the same page right now. 

James wants to compete for a championship next season, while the Lakers are building for the future with Luka Doncic. 

The leading scorer in NBA history, James opted in to his 2025-26 player option with the Lakers worth $52.6 million because Los Angeles didn’t offer him an extension, sources told Hoops Wire. 

If James doesn’t request a trade or agree to a buyout, next season will be his final campaign with the Lakers, sources said. 

James was at the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ practice facility last weekend. The greatest player in Cavaliers history was in town for the holiday weekend and worked out at the Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center. 

The Cavaliers could benefit from adding James, who made the All-NBA Second Team and finished sixth in MVP voting last season. However, Cleveland can’t feasibly trade for James since the future Hall of Famer will make too much money ($52.6 million) next season. 

Sources said that Cleveland is only interested in James in a buyout situation. And why wouldn’t they be?

James is still an elite player despite being the oldest guy in the NBA. He averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists last season while shooting 51.3% from the field, 37.6% from beyond the arc and 78.2% from the free-throw line.

If — and it’s a huge if — James and the Lakers agree to a buyout, LeBron would become an unrestricted free agent and free to sign with any team of his choice. The four-time MVP and four-time Finals MVP last played for the Cavaliers from 2014-15 to 2017-18. 

Next season will be James’ 23rd campaign in the NBA. His jersey number is No. 23 and he began his career with the Cavaliers.

It would be a storybook ending for James to finish his career in Cleveland, but for that to happen, a buyout with the Lakers has to take place first.