There is a lot of uncertainty about where LeBron James will play next season. He has a $51.4 million player option with the Lakers for the 2024-25 season. But LeBron’s final decision could depend on how far the Lakers go this year and which team drafts his son Bronny in the 2024 NBA draft. Amid the uncertainty, many have made their predictions about LeBron’s next probable destination. Even the veteran’s long-time rival, Paul Pierce, chimed in on the discussion, advising him to make a tempting trade request.

The Boston Celtics legend advised LeBron to consider returning to Cleveland to team up with Bronny for one glorious farewell tour. Pierce said, “If (The Lakers) flame out & lose in the play-in, I would consider if I was LeBron, being traded back to Cleveland for Donovan Mitchell… Bronny gets picked up by (the Cavs) & Bron has his farewell world tour with his son.” Pierce’s advice could be tempting for King James, as the Cavs are facing uncertainty about Donovan Mitchell’s future in Cleveland.

Mitchell is currently in the 3rd year of his 5-year $163 million contract he signed in Utah. In July, he will be eligible to sign a 4-year $200 million extension with the Cavs. Many assume that he will not take up the option because of his injury problems. He’s missed 19, 15, and 16 games in the last three seasons respectively (and more than 20 in the current one). And NBA Insider Marc Stein claims, “Mitchell will be entering the final guaranteed year of his current contract next season if there’s no extension, leading to a growing belief among rival teams that the Cavaliers will be forced to trade Mitchell in coming months if they cannot come to terms with him an extension.”

That could be the perfect opportunity for LeBron to go into ‘LeGM’ mode and facilitate his trade to Cleveland for a chance to team up with Bronny and finish his career where it all started for him.

This season could determine LeBron James and Donovan Mitchell’s future

Although Paul Pierce’s prophecy seems far-fetched, there is a slight chance of it coming true. But it might all depend on the outcome of this season. After dropping a season-high 40 points against the Brooklyn Nets earlier this season, LeBron said this about his retirement. “I don’t know when that door will close, but I don’t have much time left.” The 39-year-old has been playing through injuries all season and realizes Father Time is about to catch him. If the Lakers fail to qualify for the playoffs, his next move could be the last one of his legendary career.

Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell has led the Cleveland Cavaliers to the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference with his dominant yet limited performances. But it might not mean anything if they cannot make a deep run in the playoffs. In fact, there might be a barrage of changes in the franchise going into the next season, should the Cavs crash out of the playoffs in the first round again. When asked about his plan to re-sign with the Cavs, Mitchell said, “I got a lot of things to focus on outside of that right now… So, I’ll handle that when it comes.”

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Trading Mitchell might not hurt the Cavs too much because they have another talented young guard on their roster, Darius Garland. And they would love for LeBron to get his final run in his home team. Drafting Bronny will also not be a bad move for Cleveland as he could turn out to be a solid NBA player and keep them in the spotlight for years to come.

Do you believe LeBron James will take Paul Pierce’s advice and return to Cleveland for one last run?

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