BREAKING: Despite choosing to sign a $53 million contract, LeBron James addresses rumours that he is leaving the Lakers after being connected to a shocking move.

Born in Akron, Ohio, James played for the Cavaliers from 2003 to 2010 and again from 2014 to 2018, which ended his time with the Miami Heat.

 

Days after agreeing to a $53 million contract, LeBron James has responded to rumours that he may leave the Lakers after his agent, Rich Paul, made a mysterious remark about his future in Los Angeles. On Friday, James was seen at the Cavaliers practice facility, where he posed for a photo with Denver Jones, a rookie in the Cleveland NBA Summer League.

Any movement from James about his future is under a microscope these days, after Paul told ESPN that James ‘wants to compete for a championship’ but ‘knows the Lakers are building for the future.’

 

On Thursday, James was linked with a possible move to the Mavericks, with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin saying on ESPN Radio 710 that Dallas would be interested in James only if he was bought out by the Lakers.

 

Now, a reunion in James’ home state was seen as a possibility, then shot down by the 40-year-old living legend himself.

 

Responding to the photo of being spotted at the Cavs’ stomping grounds, ‘And every summer since it was built. I live here still and train every summer. Got damn yall bored man! Go get a plate of food somewhere and enjoy the 4th of July!’ James said on X Friday.

Any movement from James about his future is under a microscope after Rich Paul’s comment

James has been with the Lakers since 2018, when he departed the Cavaliers for a second time.

His recent days in Los Angeles have seen the team hire good friend JJ Redick as head coach. His son, Bronny James, was also selected by the Lakers in last year’s NBA Draft despite mediocre college stats at best. 

The Lakers finished third in the Western Conference with a 50-32 record following their blockbuster acquisition of Luka Doncic in February, but looked outmatched in the first round of the playoffs as they fell to the Timberwolves in five games.

Los Angeles now looks to be planning a future with Doncic as the centerpiece instead of James, a first for him entering his 23rd season in the NBA.

‘He values a realistic chance of winning it all,’ Paul told ESPN. ‘We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’ve had for eight years with [controlling owner] Jeanie [Buss] and [GM] Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.

‘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.’