LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers might be headed towards a divorce at the end of the 2025-26 NBA season. Reports suggest the four-time NBA champion hasn’t felt completely comfortable with the team, which could lead to a split in the offseason.
James will be a sought-after player in free agency or in the trade market. However, it looks like there is an “obvious destination” for the Lakers superstar in the summer. Per The Athletic, a second reunion with the Cleveland Cavaliers could be an option for James if he leaves the Lakers.
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Cleveland is seen as “an obvious destination” for LeBron James as he enters free agency this summer, per The Athletic.
James spent 11 years with the Cavaliers and a reunion in his 24th NBA season could be in the cards if he moves on from the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/OIXnkht4R8
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 4, 2026
In 11 seasons, LeBron James played 849 games with the Cavs. He averaged 27.2 points, 7.3 assists and 7.3 rebounds with the 2016 NBA champions. He led the team to their first title 10 years ago in one of the most memorable Finals of all time.
James left the Cavaliers for the second time in 2018. He joined the Lakers that summer, two years before winning his fourth NBA championship. It’s been five years since that moment, and the Lakers haven’t been able to return to the Finals.
A potential return to his first NBA team isn’t new to James. ESPN insider Brian Windhorst explained last week that, if the Lakers ask him to pay a significant pay cut, the Cavs would welcome him back again.
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Cleveland Cavaliers trade for James Harden ahead of trade deadline
While the LeBron James rumors continue to circulate, the Cleveland Cavaliers made a strong move in the trade market. The Eastern Conference team added former NBA MVP James Harden in exchange for Darius Garland a draft pick.
The Cavs (30-21) sit fifth in the standings. They could make a late-season push with Harden on the roster. Even so, some say this move paved the way for James’ return in the upcoming summer.
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