LeBron James’ NBA career began in Cleveland after the Cleveland Cavaliers selected him No. 1 overall straight out of high school in 2003.
He spent the first seven seasons of his career with the franchise before departing for the Miami Heat, where he won two NBA championships. That success ultimately played a major role in his decision to return to Cleveland, where he later delivered the city its first NBA title in 2016.
The Akron, Ohio native left the Cavaliers once again in 2018 and has since spent the past eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. Now, he is set to enter unrestricted free agency this offseason if he decides to return for a historic 24th NBA season.
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James made it clear during a recent episode of the “Mind the Game” podcast that he still has not made a final decision on his future and expects the process to potentially stretch into July or August.
“I’m still in the moment of just taking my time,” James said. “I haven’t even really thought about it too much. Obviously, I understand that I’m a free agent and I can control my own destiny… but like, I haven’t even really got to that point. I haven’t even taken my family vacation yet, which is going to happen after Memorial Day. That’s kind of the thing at the forefront of my mind.”
James is expected to draw interest from several teams this offseason, one of which is believed to be the Cavaliers.
According to James’ former teammate Channing Frye, Cleveland would be the ideal place for him to finish his career — returning to where it all began while joining a roster potentially capable of competing for a championship.
“That’s what I want to see. Go back home. Last year, let’s get it done,” Frye said. “Cleveland can move on from James Harden. So now they have a ball handler. They have a guy who can play four different positions. He’ll make them tougher or he’ll call them out and get them traded. Either one. That’s just facts.”
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