CLEVELAND — After Akron native LeBron James and the Lakers lost in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, there is uncertainty about the future of "The King" in Los Angeles.
The decision for James is whether he wants to return to the Lakers for his 22nd NBA season or become a free agent and go elsewhere. With the possibility of him becoming a free agent, many Cleveland Cavaliers fans are asking if the "The Kid from Akron" could return to Northeast Ohio for the 2024-25 NBA season.
If he chooses to leave the Lakers, here are the betting odds for where James will play next season, according to BetOnline:
- Golden State Warriors +400
- Cleveland Cavaliers +500
- New York Knicks +600
- Chicago Bulls +700
- Philadelphia 76ers +800
- Miami Heat +900
- Orlando Magic +1,200
- San Antonio Spurs +1,400
- LA Clippers +1,800
During an appearance on Get Up, ESPN's Brian Windhorst said that he thinks "LeBron intends to opt out of his contract and become a free agent for the first time since 2018."
The full segment can be watched below:
However, on Tuesday night, LeBron James posted on X, addressing the rumors about next season.
If he decides to opt out of his current deal with the Lakers, James could sign a new contract with L.A. that could carry him through retirement, or he could leave and sign with a new team. It is likely that James will not decide until after the NBA Draft since his son, Bronny, declared for the draft following one season at USC.
In Aug. 2022, James declared that his "last year will be played with my son. Wherever Bronny is at, that's where I'll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It's not about the money at that point.”
James was drafted by the Cavaliers with the first overall pick in 2003 and had two separate stints in Cleveland. In 2016, he led the Cavs to their first NBA title while ending a 52-year championship drought for Cleveland's major professional sports.
While we won't know anything about James' future for a while, fans in Cleveland have taken to social media over the past few days as they continue to dream of a Cavaliers-James reunion as he heads toward the end of his accomplished career.
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