The “kid from Akron” made an interesting decision with the Lakers on Sunday
With the Cleveland Browns a few weeks away from opening training camp, along with the rest of the NFL, the NBA has taken center stage over the last two weeks. The NBA Finals went to a Game 7 and was full of excitement. Then, days later, the NBA draft gave many teams new hope, while showing the disparity between top picks in the NFL draft versus the NBA.
On the last day of June, NBA free agency is the final big step (along with Summer League) in the league’s offseason and, once again, LeBron James has entered the discussion.
Sparing you all the nuances of the NBA’s CBA details, on Sunday, James opted in to the final year of his contract to lock in over $52 million for next season with the Los Angeles Lakers. While that would seem to indicate he plans to continue his career in LaLa Land (especially after they drafted his son, Bronny James, last year), his agent’s statements brought new hope for some Cleveland Cavaliers fans:
“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” Paul told ESPN. “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.
As laid out by our Cavs site, Fear the Sword, getting James would cost Cleveland at least Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen and Max Strus to make it legal under the CBA. The different depth charts shared on FTS, with and without James on the Cavs, are jarring, but could the 40-year-old take Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, De’Andre Hunter, and soon-to-be-acquired (NBA rules delay agreed-upon trades) Lonzo Ball?
With James becoming a free agent next season, it is possible a return to Cleveland could come in 2026-27 as a farewell tour (likely with Bronny and maybe even Bryce James joining together with the Cavs).
We know Browns fans are often passionate about all of Cleveland sports (as well as the Ohio State Buckeyes, soccer, hockey, pro wrestling, boxing, UFC, and more). Do you think LeBron James makes the Cavs better in 2025? Would you welcome the farewell tour in 2026?
Or, do you think the franchise should distance itself from being James-centric and set to win a championship without him?
Share your thoughts with us below in the comment section (or carry on if you are a Browns only fan)