Ahead of his 23rd NBA season, Los Angeles Lakers All-Star LeBron James’ future beyond 2025-26 remains unknown after the Lakers decided not to extend his current contract over the summer, making him a free agent after the upcoming season. In a recent interview, Cleveland Cavs former head coach Tyronn Lue believes James was at his best in Cleveland. And with the Cavs projected to be a contender in the Eastern Conference, would LeBron go back?
Rejoining the Cavs is another winning situation if James decides to do so, as Cleveland is equipped with three All-Stars in Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley. It’s a young, thriving core that will remain in the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference for the foreseeable future. Still, one Eastern Conference scout predicts James will most likely stay with the Lakers, they said, per ESPN’s Tim Bontemps.
“If I was taking the Lakers or the field,” they said, “I’d take the field. But I’ll take the Lakers over any specific team, especially given they are the one with a clear path to pay him.”
However, some could see LeBron James heading back home to the Cavs as a fitting end to where his Hall of Fame career started — in The Land, where he led the Cavs to the first championship of their franchise in 2016.
“There also, though, were a few who thought this year will be James’ final trip around The Association,” Bontemps added. “It just feels like it’s where it’s going to end,” a Western Conference scout said.
In the meantime, the Cavs, whose list of injuries led to an early playoff exit last season, will look to return to the NBA Finals for the first time since James’ tenure.
Insider reveals DeAndre Hunter, Cavs rumors for 2025-26
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Cavs forward DeAndre Hunter, who finished last season as a candidate for Sixth Man of the Year, may not be coming off the bench in 2025-26. The Cavs may move Hunter into the starting lineup next season. It’s a move that was discussed over the summer, according to Cleveland.com’s Terry Pluto.
“Max Strus is out for several months after foot surgery. The Cavs already were looking at Hunter as a starter before the injury to Strus. I was told Hunter ‘looked great’ in the summer workouts,” Pluto said. “Hunter was hampered by a thumb injury in the Indiana series. But I also heard he was dealing with some other lesser injuries. He’s healthy now.”
Hunter’s two-way production would be invaluable in the Cavs’ starting lineup.
