LeBron James has been in Northeast Ohio this offseason, which has fueled speculation that he could be angling an exit from the Los Angeles Lakers to rejoin the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavaliers functionally couldn't acquire James unless they trade Donovan Mitchell for him straight up, or if he takes a buyout from the Lakers that they are highly disincentivized from agreeing upon.
If James takes a buyout after the start of the season, the Cavaliers would be unable to sign him because his salary is above the midlevel.
However, James appears to be entering what will be his final season with the Lakers as they pivot around Luka Doncic.
"As we sit here in July, it looks like the Lakers are planning on this being the last year for LeBron," said Brian Windhorst on ESPN Cleveland. "If you get a year from now and LeBron still wants to play into age 42, yeah, I think it's a conversation. But as soon as LeBron opted into that contract, and as soon as the Cavs entered the second apron, it pretty much closed the door on this happening. Regardless of what he might say on X."
James left the Cavaliers to sign with the Lakers in 2018 after reaching the Finals in all four of his seasons with the franchise upon his return from the Miami Heat.
