LeBron James Los Angeles Lakers Cleveland Cavaliers retirement rumors future, LeBron Cavaliers return, LeBron James Lakers future, LeBron James retirement rumors, LeBron James free agency, LeBron future plans
Getty
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on January 28, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Lakers 129-99.
NBA headlines last night were led with what many thought could be LeBronJames‘ final game in Cleveland. While it was a somewhat disappointing performance for theleague’sall-time leading scorer against his former team, the game was highlighted by what, on the surface, felt like a final memorial for the player who brought the Cavaliers their first championship in franchise history.
Following his 11-point, three-rebound, five-assist game for the Los Angeles Lakers, James remainedrather mum when asked about whether that would be his last game in Cleveland, reflecting the same tone on questions about retirement in general.
“I‘m just trying to take everything in, not take the moments for granted,”James said, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “Because it could be [my last season]. I obviouslyhaven’t made a decision on the future, but it very well could be.”
But after he picked up his player option with the Lakers, James, setfor freeagency, still has an uncertain future in the NBA. While the Wednesday night game against his former team and all the theatrics surrounding it, as well as some of his comments, hinted that retirement could be imminent, manythink he still has more togive to the game of basketball, whetherit’s in Los Angeles or not.
LeBron Urged To Leave Lakers For Cavaliers Next Season
The idea of James finishing out this season with the Lakers, then heading back to where his NBA journey began in Cleveland, is not a new idea, but one stoked byMcMenamin’s recent reporting that the Ohio franchise would be happy to welcome him back next year.
“Multiple team and league sources told ESPN the Cavaliers would gladly welcome James back this summer if he wanted to return to Cleveland for his 24th NBA season and third stint with the team,”he wrote.
While that remains tobe seen, the future of James with the Lakers is in massive question, as reported on by Shams Charania. Returning to Cleveland would make sense, granted it would have to be on a much smaller contract with a farsmaller role on that team, but after what many thought could be his final return to the Rocket Arena (formerly Quicken Loans Arena),James was urged to end his career where it began.
Writing for The Athletic, Jason Lloyd discussed how James ending his historic NBA tenure with the Cavaliers would be the right move.
“I still believe he has more to offer this beautiful game, which is why there is only one fitting way forJames’ magnificent career to end,”he wrote. “Back in Cleveland next season, wearing No. 23, enjoying a well-deserved retirement tour with a chance to win one more championship.”
Sam Quinn of CBS Sports also wrote about that idea. His perspective was that the Lakersaren’t interested in keeping James past this season, and while hehasn’t announced any retirement plans yet, Cleveland could be where he ends his basketball journey.
“For LeBron James, all roads lead back to Cleveland,”Quinn stated.
Dave McMenamin
LeBron James was stirred to tears during the Cleveland Cavaliers tribute video to him in the 1st half tonight (via @NBA)
Regardless of what he does, the talks linking James back to the Cavaliers have onlygrown in the past few days as his time with the Lakersseems to be coming to an end.
LeBron James Retirement Rumors
Aside from returning to the Lakers, going back to Cleveland, or joining a completely different team, the other option that remains on the table is retirement.Before the game against the Cavaliers, Jameshadn’t discussed that possibilitya whole lot, but after the loss to his former team, he responded to multiple questions about whatis the biggest lingering topic (aside from GiannisAntetokounmpo’s future) in the NBA today.
While hedidn’t hit at any move in particular, James said hehadn’t thought about what his future holds, which, while hard to believe, he reiterated multiple times.
“I have not even thought to the point of a farewell tour or whatever the case may be, because Ihaven’t had the conversation with myself and my family on, when is it over?”James said, according to Dan Woike of The Athletic. “So … I think that will come after that.”
“I don’t know what the future holds,”he added.
Quinn had his own thoughts about James potentially retiring this season.
“DoesLeBron James seem like the sort of player who would go out quietly following an early playoff exit? Of course not.He’d want a retirement tour.He’d want a year of genuflection.”
James’ increasing involvement in thegame of golf, comments about enjoying his time in certain NBA cities and arenas, and his thoughts on wanting to spend more time with his family have all fueled retirement rumors. However, for now at least, hehasn’t made a public decision, and according to him, James believes heisn’t done yet.
“I‘m in a battle with Father Time andI’m taking it personal, and I am going to see how many more times I [can] be victorious over him.”