LeBron James is in the middle of a mind-boggling 23rd NBA season, averaging 21.4 points, 7.0 assists and 5.6 rebounds and reaching heights that were previously considered impossible. While he's lost a step compared to previous seasons, he's still playing at an All-Star level.
The Lakers have found ways to succeed without James this season, posting impressive numbers led by Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves in the backcourt. However, James is enough of a game-changer to be an extremely useful weapon, especially in the playoffs for this Lakers squad.
As the Doncic-Reaves duo seems set to lead the team in the future, there's been avid speculation around James' future, both with the Lakers and his career as a whole. It's hard to see James retiring at the end of the season without a long-term announcement, so this summer could potentially be his last in the NBA, and it brings with it a big decision.
James is on an expiring $52.6 million contract and is expected to hit free agency after the season. This might be the perfect opportunity for James to make a switch for his retirement NBA season, with many, including Lakers legend and now commentator Byron Scott, predicting James returning to the Cleveland Cavalierson his 'Fast Break' podcast.
"I think it's his final year with the Lakers, and I think he'll probably go back to Cleveland and play one more year there. He's gonna get the statue, they're gonna name streets and all kinds of stuff after him. He is going to get that in Cleveland no matter what, but to me, he's got one more year left after this."
Scott's prediction is one that many around the NBA share, with the Cavaliers being the perfect final destination for LeBron.
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They have a chance at winning an NBA Championship, with James filling in their biggest hole on the roster right now in terms of a starting wing. However, it's hard to imagine Cleveland opening their cap space enough to give James the kind of contract his production deserves, unless he's willing to take a minimum contract.
Scott is still closely associated with the Lakers organization as a commentator, so making a prediction like this carries weight. Regardless, he believes this is LeBron's final season with the Lakers, and the performances on the court seem to be telling that story too.
The Lakers, led by Doncic and Reaves, just comprehensively beat the New York Knicks 110-97 without James. The team has a 4-12 record against teams with a 60% win-rate or better, with all four wins coming when the team was without James. They're 9-2 on the season when Doncic and Reaves play with James unavailable.
These kinds of statistics do show that James might be close to overstaying his welcome in LA. The team should finish out this season the best way they can before an inevitable roster reshuffle in the summer to go all-in on building around their dynamic high-scoring backcourt, replicating what Doncic had on the Dallas Mavericks with Kyrie Irving.
James will make the best decision for his career, but a retirement run with his hometown Cavaliers while trying to win an NBA Championship might be too storybook an ending for him to pass on, even if it means leaving Hollywood.
