Getty
LeBron James and Stephen Curry won an Olympic gold medal together in 2024.
One of the biggest headlines this coming offseason is the future of LeBron James, who is expected to enter free agency. James is in the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, though there’s also the possibility of retiring instead of entering Year 24.
Speaking to the media before the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, James remained undecided about his future. He still loves the game, but he also wants to start enjoying life after sacrificing most of it for basketball.
“Yeah, I mean, I want to live,” James said, via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “When I know, you guys will know. I don’t know. I have no idea. I just want to live, that’s all.”
Meanwhile, Tim MacMahon reported on NBA Today last week that there’s speculation around the league that James will return to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a third stint.
“I know what the rampant speculation is around the league, and that is this summer there’s going to be a reunion and potentially a retirement tour for the ages back home again with the Cleveland Cavaliers next year,” MacMahon said.
Frank Urbina of HoopsHype believes that James is likely signing with the Cavs, but he might need to take the biggest pay cut in NBA history.
Warriors Predicted to Nab LeBron James
While most people are expecting LeBron James to sign with the Cavaliers, The Ringer’s Bill Simmons had a different prediction. Simmons doesn’t see James returning to Cleveland this summer because they are a championship-contending team that doesn’t need him.
Simmons did acknowledge that the Cavaliers will be the favorites, with the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers also in the running. However, he’s putting his money on the Golden State Warriors because of his roster fit.
“I might be wrong, but I wanted to go on the record,” Simmons said. “I think it’s going to be Golden State. That would be my bet.”
The veteran analyst added, “Golden State makes the most sense to me because they actually need him. And the narrative of, ‘I’m going to finish my career with Steph Curry, the other great player of my generation. We won Olympic gold medals together. The team kind of needs me.’”
Simmons also mentioned James being close to Draymond Green, as well as having a history of being coached by Steve Kerr in the 2024 Paris Olympics, as possible factors.
Cavs Open to LeBron Reunion
At 41 years old, LeBron James is closer to retirement than ever. A farewell tour with the team that drafted him in 2003 and the same team he led to the 2016 NBA championship is just a perfect end to arguably the greatest career in league history.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin back in January, the Cavaliers have no problem welcoming James with open arms this summer if he wants to. The franchise might need to make some moves to free up cap space, though the four-time NBA MVP could also take a pay cut.
In addition to returning close to home, James might have a shot at winning a fifth title with a Cavs roster that features Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and James Harden.
Juan Paolo David Juan Paolo David is a sports journalist covering basketball for Heavy. He has a decade of experience writing about the NBA and WWE. He’s currently based in the Philippines. More about Juan Paolo David
More Heavy on Warriors
Loading more stories