The Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James may be heading toward an inevitable crossroads - and for the first time since he arrived in 2018, it feels like the organization is genuinely preparing for life after the King.
James, now 41, remains a productive and impactful player, but the dynamics in L.A. have shifted. With Luka Dončić emerging as the team’s focal point, LeBron has taken a step back - not necessarily by choice, but by necessity.
The result? A Lakers team that, at times, has looked more fluid and energized without James on the floor, especially during his early-season absence due to injury.
Behind the scenes, there’s been chatter - whispers about James’ relationship with the front office, and questions about how committed the Lakers are to building around him at this stage of his career. That’s led to speculation about a potential trade, something that would've seemed unthinkable just a year or two ago.
But now? It's a real conversation.
And here’s where it gets interesting: one potential destination that’s been floated is a return to where it all began - Cleveland.
According to one NBA executive, the Lakers would be open to sending LeBron back to the Cavaliers, the franchise that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2003 and the one he led to that unforgettable 2016 NBA title. It’s not just sentimentality at play here - the Lakers aren’t looking to ship James off just anywhere.
But Cleveland? That’s a different story.
Now, making this kind of blockbuster move is anything but simple. The Cavaliers are currently a second-apron team under the league’s new collective bargaining agreement, which severely limits their trade flexibility.
To put it plainly: any deal they make has to match salaries dollar-for-dollar, and they can’t combine contracts to get there. That’s a major hurdle, especially considering James is owed $52.6 million this season.
Even if Cleveland wanted to send out a max-level player like Donovan Mitchell or Evan Mobley - both of whom are on similar salaries - it still wouldn’t be enough. The Cavs would need to trim roughly $22 million off their books just to get below the second apron and open the door to a legal trade.
That’s where De’Andre Hunter comes into the picture. While not a Cavalier himself, he’s reportedly the most logical candidate to be moved in a multi-team deal that could help Cleveland shed salary. If the Cavs can offload Hunter (or someone in a similar salary range), they might be able to maneuver their way into position to trade for James.
And if they pull it off? Suddenly, Cleveland would be looking at a core of James, Mitchell, Mobley, and possibly breakout second-year forward Jaylon Tyson. That’s not just a playoff team - that’s a legitimate Eastern Conference contender.
Of course, the Cavs would have to be careful not to gut their depth in the process. Players like Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Sam Merrill, and Tyson are all key pieces of the rotation. If Cleveland can swing a trade for LeBron while keeping that nucleus intact, they’d be adding one of the most experienced postseason players in NBA history to a young, talented roster that’s already trending upward.
And let’s not overlook the narrative. A homecoming for LeBron, potentially closing out his career where it started - and where he delivered the city’s first major championship in over half a century - would be poetic.
But this isn’t just about sentiment. James still has game, and if he lands back in Cleveland, don’t be surprised if the Cavs go from a promising team to a serious title threat overnight.
The Lakers, meanwhile, would be signaling a full pivot to the Dončić era. And for LeBron? The final chapter might just be written in wine and gold.