If James wants to continue his playing career, it is very possible that he does so somewhere other than the Lakers and many believe a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers is the most likely scenario.

It makes sense as LeBron is the greatest player in Cavaliers history, spending 11 seasons with the franchise and bringing them their lone NBA Championship back in 2016. A return there would also allow him to join a group of players led by All-Star Donovan Mitchell, point guard James Harden and big man Evan Mobley that isn’t far from championship contention.

Of course, the players themselves hear these rumors as well and Mitchell was asked about the possibility of teaming with LeBron on the Cavaliers in an appearance on Sirius XM NBA Radio. While Mitchell made it clear that his focus is on this season and trying to win now, he admitted that it would be special to be a teammate of James:

“As a Bron fan, to be able to be a teammate, that would obviously be special, but that’s not something in my control. I control what we got here. There’s always going to be reports, that’s natural, it’s gonna be a thing. At the end of the day, to your point, my main focus right now is trying to get this championship. And whatever happens, it happens. Like, that’s not up to me, that’s not up to anybody else in the locker room. So I’m big on believing what I can control. But yeah, it’s LeBron James, right?”

As Mitchell said, growing up as a LeBron fan, it would obviously be great to become his teammate and his addition could possibly get the Cavaliers over the hump as a title contender. A return home for James would be a fitting end to his career so it is understandable why many are looking at this as a real possibility.

Whether or not he even plays next season is unknown as LeBron could always choose to retire after this year. But if he does suit up for a 24th NBA season, and it isn’t with the Lakers, it feels more and more likely that a return to the franchise where he began his career is in the cards.

Lakers would welcome LeBron James back next season

Just because LeBron James is a free agent this offseason doesn’t mean the Lakers want him to leave. On the contrary, the franchise would reportedly welcome James back if he wants to continue playing next year.

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Despite missing 14 games to start this season and some rust after returning, the 41-year-old is still playing at an All-Star level and can clearly still provide to winning basketball.

Despite that, general manager Rob Pelinka and the Lakers front office have shown signs of a willingness to let James go, whether that be signing elsewhere or hanging it up.

With that uncertainty looming over Los Angeles, teams are taking notice and preparing to possibly make a run at the four-time champion. Obviously, the Cleveland Cavaliers are at the top of that list with Donovan Mitchell and newly acquired James Harden rumored to be preparing a recruitment for the Ohio native, Kendrick Perkins reported on the Road Trippin’ Show:

“My sources told me that Donovan Mitchell and James Harden already are starting the push to go and recruit LeBron James this offseason. I’m just telling you, my sources told me as soon as James Harden got on the phone or got around the team, the initial was we’re about to make this run, go all out, but we want LeBron James.”

Seeing how the trade deadline panned out for the Cavaliers, they shortened their championship window by acquiring an older player in Harden in exchange for Darius Garland. However, they improved their chances of winning in the present and clearly want to bring a second title to Cleveland.

Objectively speaking, it makes sense as to why James would return back to Cleveland for a third and final stint. Closing out a historic career where it all started is a storybook ending and that could be weighing on his mind as well.

Signs are pointing to the Cavaliaers making a considerable push for James and a departure for L.A. looks to be on the table, although a lot can change between now and the summer.

LeBron James & organization ready to part ways this summer

James is in his eighth season with the Lakers and the end appears to be near.According to recent reports, L.A. is ready to move on to shift their focus on building around Luka Doncic and James shares a mutual feeling of parting ways this offseason.

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Even in their loss to the Phoenix Suns, there were positives, most notably the continued dominance of Davis. The reigning Western Conference Player of the Week has been unstoppable so far this season, but he will have a big challenge in front of him against the Cavaliers’ frontcourt duo of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. They do an excellent job of patrolling the paint and clearing the glass so Davis has his work cut out for him. More strong play from Rui Hachimura would help greatly as his aggression gives this Lakers a major boost.

Of course, this is also the annual homecoming for LeBron in Cleveland, but it’s a little different his time with Bronny James also playing in his hometown for the first time. There have been some rumblings that the Lakers could look to get LeBron and Bronny on the court together in Cleveland so that is worth watching as well. More important for LeBron, however, is bouncing back from his 3-of-14 night in Phoenix.

Also worth watching is Austin Reaves, who is coming off another strong performance and is really settling into his role as more of a primary creator. But the Lakers need more from the rest of their backcourt as D’Angelo Russell has struggled to start the year and the team simply needs more from reserves Gabe Vincent and Max Christie.

Considering their defensive skills, each could get a bit of a longer look against this Cavaliers backcourt, but finding more minutes for Dalton Knecht might be a priority for Redick especially as the Lakers offense has had some lulls.

The All-Star backcourt duo of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland are both exceptional scorers and creators who are the main reasons why the Cavaliers have the second-best offense in the league. The Lakers simply can’t let both have massive games, especially as Mobley also seems to have taken a step forward offensively as well and is another all-around tool Cleveland likes to run offense through.

The Cavaliers are one of the best in the league in points off turnovers and fastbreak points, so taking care of the ball is even more paramount for the Lakers in this contest. Caris LeVert is one of the best bench scorers in the league, but players like Dean Wade and Georges Niang can also change the complexion of the game.

This is the Lakers’ first bit of adversity this season and they all understand the importance of this game, even so early into the season. Like the Lakers, the Cavaliers are a team with mostly the same roster but a new coach looking to show this year will be different. With Davis playing at this level, the Lakers can beat anyone, but he needs more help offensively and the Lakers simply can’t slip defensively or Cleveland could pull away quickly.

Cleveland Cavaliers (4-0) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (3-1)

4:00 p.m. PT, Monday, October 28, 2024
Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Cleveland, Ohio
TV: Spectrum SportsNet
Radio: 710 AM ESPN LA

Projected Lakers Starting Lineup:

PG: D’Angelo Russell
SG: Austin Reaves
SF: Rui Hachimura
PF: LeBron James
C: Anthony Davis

Key Reserves: Max Christie, Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht, Jaxson Hayes, Bronny James

Projected Cavaliers Starting Lineup:

PG: Darius Garland
SG: Donovan Mitchell
SF: Dean Wade
PF: Evan Mobley
C: Jarrett Allen

Key Reserves: Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, Sam Merrill, Isaac Okoro

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Things may have shifted in the weeks since then. Young, with a lesser market than expected, feels more likely to be staying in Atlanta. This became especially true after they dealt Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans. And Mitchell never fully went through with a trade request, ultimately deciding to negotiate an extension to stay with the Cavaliers.

Mitchell and the Cavaliers reportedly agreed to that extension on Tuesday morning, and it will keep the star guard in Cleveland through at least the 2026-27 NBA season, via Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:

BREAKING: Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell has agreed on a three-year, $150.3 million maximum contract extension that includes a player option for the 2027-2028 season, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/Vu6QXGyK57

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2024

The Lakers and Mitchell had not been tied together in rumors for quite some time, meaning a trade was always unlikely. But this seals that Mitchell will not be traded this offseason and is instead committed to contending with the Cavaliers.

Cleveland made it to the second round of the postseason in 2024 and lost to the eventual champion Boston Celtics. They are certainly a playoff team, but they are not necessarily in championship contention. Perhaps Mitchell could eventually request a trade if he wants to compete for a title, but it’s unclear how serious his request was initially.

The Lakers have long since pivoted and are looking ahead at their options as the free agent and trade market begin to dwindle.

Lakers in active talks with three teams

Reportedly, the Lakers are currently speaking with the Portland Trail Blazers, Brooklyn Nets and Utah Jazz as they try to make a deal to raise their ceiling in 2024-25.

The Trail Blazers would likely be some deal around Jerami Grant, while Brooklyn would be some combination of Dorian Finney-Smith or Cameron Johnson. The Jazz have more gettable options in Collin Sexton and Walker Kessler, but L.A. could also be trying to get into the Lauri Markkanen conversation.

Any one of these players could help the Lakers next season, but price tags and willingness to deal remain uncertain.

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There had long been rumors that Mitchell did not want to remain with the Cavaliers long-term and as he is set to enter the final year of his current contract, it seemed possible they could look to trade him this summer. The Lakers would obviously target him if that were to be the case, however rumors to the contrary have surfaced as of late and it sounds as if that remains the case as the offseason looms closer.

According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, there is growing expectations around the league that Mitchell will sign an extension with the Cavaliers and, furthermore, they are not expected to entertain any trade offers for the other three members of their core in Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen:

Despite a wealth of interest in both Garland and Allen on the trade market, Cleveland is not expected to entertain trade offers for any member of its core four at this time, sources said, while a league-wide expectation only grows that Mitchell will sign a contract extension with the club that acquired him from Utah back in September 2022. Mobley’s progression as a scorer and playmaker, in addition to his high-caliber defense, has been viewed both among Cleveland staffers and rival front offices as a critical component to the Cavaliers’ continued rise up the Eastern Conference, sources said.

Questions about the fit of the Cavaliers’ backcourt have arisen and some felt that if Mitchell wanted to remain in Cleveland then perhaps the they would look to move Garland. The young point guard would be an intriguing target for the Lakers if that were to be the case, but Cleveland looks intent on continuing to build on the foundation they have established.

Mitchell is truly one of the best scoring guards the NBA has to offer and the Cavaliers are wise to try and keep him around as they are experiencing their best success since LeBron James left in 2018. For the time being, the Lakers will be best served looking elsewhere if they want to add another star via trade.

JJ Redick completes formal interview for Lakers head coach position

Before the Lakers get started on making roster moves, the team must still hire its next head coach. Arguably the top candidate is former player and current ESPN broadcaster JJ Redick, who recently took a big step towards potentially landing the job.

Redick visited with the Lakers over the weekend, completing a formal interview for the team’s head coach position with multiple members of the organization speaking with him. It is believed that the Lakers would wait until Redick is finished with his responsibilities calling the NBA Finals before formally offering him the job.

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