LeBron James should come home.
It’s not an idea many are discussing, but there’s real rationale to it. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar has a path this offseason to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and it might be best for just about everyone involved.
Here’s the first key fact: James’ 2025-26 season on his contract is a player option. He can opt out and become a free agent, thus setting himself up to join whatever team he wants.
At that point, James could choose to take a pay cut just to go where he wants to go. What if he wants to go home, back to where it all started, just a short drive from Akron and in the place he grew from a teenage phenom into a world-class man?
It’s all at LeBron’s fingertips.
MORE: 3 trades the Cavs could make to shake up their roster
The Cavs are at a crossroads. They just had the best non-LeBron season in franchise history before injuries and inconsistent play caused a second-round flameout at the hands of the Pacers.
Maybe this group would prefer to figure things out on their own, but contention windows don’t last forever.
If Cleveland got James, he’d slot right in at the 3 with Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Because he’s a free agent, the Cavs wouldn’t have to give up anything to get him besides some cash.
He’d bring championship experience and ability that is still at an all-time level, even at 40 years old.
MORE: Jayson Tatum’s relationship with Kobe Bryant comes into focus after torn Achilles
The Lakers probably don’t want to lose James, but it’d allow them to fully move forward into the Luka Doncic era rather than be stuck in two timelines.
The Cavs won a title the first time James returned back to Ohio, from his time in Miami. Maybe they can do it again.
There’d be no cooler story in the NBA than one final homecoming for King James. And really, the ball is entirely in his court. If he opts out and is willing to sign a cheap enough deal, LeBron can be a Cavs player in no time. It’d be quite the sight to behold.
MORE NBA NEWS:
