Nearly a week into NBA free agency, LeBron James hasn’t officially decided which team he will play for during the 2026-27 season. He will almost certainly not retire this offseason, and he is reportedly considering a number of teams, most notably the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
There is a feeling that the Cavaliers make the most sense for the 41-year-old James. He played his first seven seasons there, left in ugly fashion and then returned after four years for another four seasons. He brought the Cavaliers their first NBA championship in 2016, and he then departed again to join the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018. A return to Cleveland could make for a sentimental, feel-good ending to James’ career.
His son, Bronny, came to the Lakers as the No. 55 pick in the 2024 draft. According to NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, Cleveland wants to maintain space on its roster to trade for the younger James in the event the elder James returns.
“One conspiracy whisper making the rounds: They want to make sure that they have open roster spots to be able to trade for the Lakers’ Bronny James in the event that they are able to welcome Dad back as a free agent signee.”
The younger James doesn’t seem to fit into the Lakers’ plans moving forward. He hasn’t proven that he deserves a spot in a good team’s rotation, and after adding Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes, Jaden Hardy and rookie Cameron Carr this summer, the Lakers should have ample backcourt depth.
It would then make sense for them to trade the 21-year-old guard to his father’s next team, especially since such a trade could net them at least one second-round draft pick. After agreeing to trade for center Walker Kessler, Los Angeles was almost completely out of tradable draft capital, although it is also trading Deandre Ayton, its starting center this past season, to the Washington Wizards for Hardy and two second-round picks.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Cavaliers reportedly want to have room to trade for Bronny James
