LeBron James’ offseason has been filled with tension, uncertainty, and a flood of speculation. After opting in to his $52.6 million contract for the 2025–26 season, every move he’s made has drawn attention. One photo, especially a workout pic in front of the Clippers logo, recently set off alarms across social media. Was it a statement? A warning? Many fans believe it reflects growing discomfort between LeBron and the Lakers. His agent, Rich Paul, added fuel, saying James still wants to compete but gave no promise of a future in L.A.

Yet just days earlier, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka spoke with hope. “If he had the chance to retire as a Laker, that would be great,” Pelinka said. He praised the ongoing dialogue with Rich Paul, calling it “positive and supportive.” Still, he admitted that the decision lies with James and his family. The timing was interesting. While Luka Doncic signed a massive extension to become the Lakers’ new focal point, James stayed silent. He picked up his option, yes. But he didn’t sign long-term. That silence is speaking loudly.

Enter Stephen A. Smith with a bold suggestion. “Why don’t you just come back to Cleveland and end your career?” he said on First Take. “He’d have a better chance of winning a championship in Cleveland than he would in LA.” Smith pointed out how the West is packed with threats: Oklahoma City, Dallas, and Minnesota, while the East is more open. “It has become crystal clear that that pretty much, that the weather in Hollywood is the only reason why LeBron is there, because he damn sure ain’t winning no damn championship there,” he joked. With injuries and roster shake-ups across the East, he argued, the Cavs are in a better position than ever.

“I saw the Cleveland Cavaliers this past season, and I’m a huge, huge, huge Donovan Mitchell fan,” Smith continued. He listed the Cavs’ playoff struggles but still called them a real opportunity. He pointed out, “Jason Tatum is out for the year with an Achilles tear… Halliburton’s out for the year. Turner’s a Milwaukee buck now…” 

With all this in mind, for Smith, it’s a no-brainer for James to make a return to the Cavs. “If LeBron James came back to Cleveland, you the favorites to come out of the East.” Whether James agrees or not, the door Stephen A. opened is hard to ignore. After all, LeBron once gave Cleveland a championship. Could the story end where it all began?

LeBron James feels undervalued as the Lakers keep their future open for younger stars

The Lakers are shifting toward a new timeline, but not everyone feels included in that vision. While Luka Doncic received a $165 million extension and was celebrated for it, LeBron James stood on the sidelines. He did not show up at Doncic’s contract presentation, and that absence spoke volumes. According to Rachel Nichols, it had little to do with Doncic and everything to do with how James feels about the organization right now.

“I think it has more to do with his frustration with the Lakers,” Nichols said in a Sports Illustrated interview. “He believes he’s played at a level where he deserves an extension. He shouldn’t be an expiring contract.” It’s hard to argue with her. Even at 40, James is still performing better than many younger stars. The concern isn’t about his fitness. It’s about where the Lakers want to go and who they want to take with them.

Nichols added that the Lakers are thinking beyond LeBron. “If one of these other big players comes available… they don’t want to be tied up with 42-year-old LeBron when they could get, say, a Giannis or Jokic.” That’s the dilemma. The Lakers respect what James has done. But locking him in means risking the future, especially when names like Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo could hit the market in 2027.

In the end, Nichols put it simply. “LeBron probably does deserve an extension, and it’s true that the Lakers kind of can’t afford to give him one.” That’s the tightrope the Lakers are walking. And for someone like LeBron James, who’s used to setting the pace, being asked to wait may be the biggest insult of all.