There is a growing expectation around the NBA that LeBron James will rejoin the Cleveland Cavaliers next summer in free agency, per ESPN's Tim MacMahon on Friday's edition of NBA Today.
"I know what the rampant speculation is around the league," MacMahon said. "This summer, there's gonna be a reunion and potentially a retirement tour for the ages back home again with the Cleveland Cavaliers next year."
James is currently in his 23rd season and e ighth with the Lakers. He's averaging 22.0 points, 7.1 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game.
James is a free agent after this season, and there's been rampant speculation about whether the 2025-26 campaign could be his last.
There's no doubt he can still play, even at the age of 41 in his 23rd NBA season. The question about his future, as James said, isn't about his game. Rather, it's about his body and mind (h/t Robert Marvi of LeBron Wire).
"My game is not going anywhere," James said, per an interview relayed by ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "It's just my body. ... It's so many more factors that come with how long will I play the game. I don't think my game will ever suffer if I decided to continue to go, however long that is. I just think it has to be [my mind]: How long can I stay in love with the process . That's always been my thing. If I can't continue to stay in love with the process, then if this (my mental commitment) goes, then my body's going to go. And once my body goes, then it's a wrap. Then the love goes, and then the fun and all that stuff goes. So that's what it is. It's not like my game is deteriorating or whatever the case may be."
It's a waiting game to see what James will decide down the road. A reunion with the Cavs, of course, could be amazing. James began his career there in 2003 and left from 2010-2014 to play with the Miami Heat before returning to Cleveland for a four-year stint. He led the Cavs to their lone franchise title in 2016. That was also the city's lone pro championship since 1964 (Cleveland Browns).
The Akron native is a home-state legend in Ohio, and heading back to Cle veland would also be interesting because the Cavs could be strong contenders next year with Donovan Mitchell leading the way. If James Harden stays aboard in Cleveland, then the Cavs could have a fantastic core with those two plus James, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
For now, James is trying to guide the Lakers to greater heights. They currently sit 33-21 in fifth in the Western Conference as the All-Star break gets underway.
Comments
Post a Comment