LA LAKERS superstar LeBron James was spotted at the Cleveland Cavaliers practice facility.
Former Cavs star James, who won the franchise’s sole NBA title in 2016, has been a hot name in the trade and retirement rumor mills recently.
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James took a picture with Cavaliers Summer League rookie Denver Jones at the facility on Friday.
The 40-year-old NBA icon has, of course, has played for the Cavaliers twice.
He led the franchise to its only championship in 2016 against the Golden State Warriors.
The Ohio-born guard’s reappearance back at his old base has further fuelled rumours about leaving the Lakers to return to his hometown.
James addressed the chatter directly after learning that fans and media were asking such questions.
He commented to an X post: “And every summer since it was built. I live here still and train every summer. Got damn, y’all bored man! Go get a plate of food somewhere and enjoy the 4th of July!”
James exercised his $52.6million player option with the Lakers for the 2025-26 season on Sunday.
But his agent, Rich Paul, revealed that James will closely monitor the Lakers’ offseason moves to improve their roster.
Paul told ESPN’s Shams Charania: “LeBron wants to compete for a championship,
“We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future.
“We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career.
“He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what’s best for him.”
The Lakers did fill a significant gap in their lineup Wednesday, signing free agent center Deandre Ayton.
The No. 1 overall pick in 2018 who averaged 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds with the Trail Blazers in 2024-25.
The leading scorer in NBA history, James is the oldest active player in the league.
He averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.6 blocks for the Lakers last season in 70 games.
The Lakers lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games.
James averaged 25.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.8 blocks in the five-game series.
Arguably the best player in NBA history, James is a four-time MVP, a four-time champion and a four-time Finals MVP.
He won his fourth title and fourth Finals MVP in 2020 with the Lakers.
The Cavaliers were the first seed in the East last season.
But they lost to the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the playoffs in five games.
