LeBron James recently opted into the $52.6 million player option on his contract. The former Cleveland Cavaliers star will now become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Shortly after LeBron decided to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers, Rich Paul told ESPN that the veteran superstar still wants to contend for a championship.
“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” Paul said. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’ve had for eight years with Jeanie (Buss) and Rob (Pelinka) and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.”
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Ramona Shelburne, “a handful of teams” checked in on LeBron’s availability after Paul’s statement.
“One Eastern Conference executive was convinced James wanted out of LA,” Windhorst and Shelburne reported. “A handful of teams — including the Golden State Warriors, who tried to trade for James in 2023-24 — considered again whether to make an offer, sources said. One Western Conference executive chalked it up to an elaborate pout because the Lakers hadn’t offered James a new contract extension.”
NBA Insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson shared the names of the teams that had reportedly shown interest in acquiring LeBron.
A Cavaliers Homecoming for LeBron Makes Sense
LeBron started his NBA career with the Cavaliers. He is an Akron native. Furthermore, he helped secure the franchise’s first championship during his second tenure with the team. Bringing LeBron back for one final push at another ring before calling time on his career would be somewhat poetic.
However, the Cavaliers would undoubtdly struggle to match his enormous salary via a trade. Any move for LeBron would likely cost them Jarrett Allen, as the Lakers have been keen on adding a lob-threat.
Still, if the Cavaliers are dead set on contending for a championship next season, LeBron could help them achieve that goal. Even in his forties, he remains one of the most impactful players in the league, despite his defensive slippage.
Donovan Mitchell Speaks on Playoff Loss
During the Cavaliers’ second game of the Las Vegas Summer League, Donovan Mitchell joined the broadcast and shared his thoughts on the franchise falling short.
“When you’re in hindsight, it’s always like, ‘okay, we’ve taken a step. You need this to take it to the next level,” Mitchell stated. “But, to be honest with you, and I think we all feel this way, it was a letdown for us, man. We let ourselves down, we let the city down. And, we let the organization down. We all felt it… Everything lined up for us to do that, and we didn’t take care of business. So, that’s the failure on our part. So, now the biggest thing is, take it, use it as fuel.”
A star trio of Mitchell, Evan Mobley and LeBron could be enough to give the Cavaliers a shot at a championship. Unfortunately for Cleveland, it’s highly unlikely LeBron leaves the Lakers this summer. And if he does, the Golden State Warriors would likely be in poll position to secure his services.
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