An interesting piece of information got lost in the drama surrounding LeBron James saying he doesn’t like playing in Memphis.
It makes you wonder if James just gave us a clue about his future.
On a recent appearance of “Bob Does Sports,” James talked about Milwaukee and Memphis as NBA road cities that he doesn’t enjoy visiting.
His comments about Memphis, in particular, sparked significant backlash. At Lakers practice on Saturday in Dallas, he was asked if he wanted to clarify them.
“I said Milwaukee as well,” James said. “I’m 41 years old, there’s two cities I do not like playing in right now. And that’s Milwaukee and that’s Memphis. What is your problem with it? I don’t like going home either, s–t, and I’m from there. People are ridiculous. They also get mad at my son being on the team, too. So, what are we talking about?”
For James, the uproar was much ado about nothing. He’s been doing this for an unprecedented 23 seasons. Is he not allowed to have preferences?
But while he shut down the reporter’s question, he raised another: Would James not want to return to Cleveland?
James, who’s earning $52.6 million this season with the Lakers, will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
He remains uncertain about his future. He could retire or return for his 24th season — with the Lakers or elsewhere.
It’s hard to imagine him playing with any team at this stage in his career besides the Lakers (where he has spent the last eight seasons) and Cavaliers (where he played 11 seasons), though he has also been tied to the Warriors and Knicks.
But if he chooses to return — and doesn’t want to remain with the purple and gold — playing for the Cavaliers would wrap a bow around his storied career.
James, who’s from Akron, Ohio, was drafted by the Cavaliers in 2003. He spent seven seasons with the team before leaving for Miami in 2010. After four years away, James returned to the Cavaliers in 2014, leading them to four straight Finals appearances, including their first championship in 2016.
Cleveland may not be one of James’ favorite road cities to pass through, but it clearly holds a very special place in his heart.
When the Lakers played there in January, James teared up during a video tribute.
He already chose to rejoin the franchise once. Maybe basketball decisions would supersede his newfound passion for year-round green golf courses.
After all, James would have a much easier path to the Finals with the Cavaliers than the Lakers in the very crowded West. If James teamed up with Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Jarrett Allen, the Cavaliers would instantly become a title contender.
But the truth is, no one knows what James is going to do, including probably James himself.
At the top of the season, there was a lot of speculation about James returning to Cleveland, with multiple pundits claiming that was the most likely scenario for him next year if he chose not to retire. But that chatter died down after the Lakers found their stride in March, going on a 15-2 run.
James’ agent, Rich Paul, says all of that conjecture is nothing but hot air.
“There’s no truth to any of it,” Paul said on his podcast, “Game over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul.” “First of all, I don’t know what’s happening. He don’t know either. We don’t even talk about it.”
James wants to see how he’s feeling after the season.
What happens in the playoffs will likely have a large influence on his future, which is unfortunate because the Lakers will be surrounded with “what ifs” after Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves both sustained injuries Thursday that will sideline them for the remainder of the regular season and likely the first round of the playoffs.
When arguably the greatest player of all time makes his decision about his future, there will be a lot of factors at play.
As James said, “I don’t like going home either.”
He might’ve been referring to the hotel he stays at in Cleveland. Or the cold weather. It’s hard to know how much to read into that and whether it’ll impact his decision.
But it was one of the biggest clues James’ fans received about what he may or may not do next season.
