Latest on LeBron James: 'It's decision time,' says NBA insider

LeBron James’ roots in Akron, Ohio run deep. Can they be deepened?

The recent time James has spent in his hometown only has heightened excitement about him possibly rejoining the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“Listen, this is an exciting time for us, right?’’ Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson told Sirius XM NBA Radio on Sunday, July 12. “Like we’re in the mix for the greatest player of all-time.’’

(No, Atkinson was not referring to Michael Jordan.)

It’s customary for James to spend time in the offseason in Akron, which helped launch him into basketball stardom. But it seems ever more meaningful as he searches for what likely will be the final destination of his celebrated NBA career two weeks after informing the Lakers he will play elsewhere next season.

If you’re reading tea leaves, James has posted on his Instagram page twice in about the last two weeks. The first was about a custom 1,200-square-foot putting green that’s been installed at the LeBron James Family Foundation headquarters.

The second was of James standing inside “Buckets Restaurant,’’ where chicken is served in buckets. Of course, what everybody really wants to know is, where will James be scoring buckets next season?

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Look back at LeBron James’ iconic Lakers moments

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) reacts after scoring a basket during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on Dec 28, 2021.

(Troy Taormina, Imagn Images)

LeBron James answers a question during an interview session with reporters during the Los Angeles Lakers media day at the UCLA Health Training Center on Sept. 24, 2018 during his first season with the team.

(Robert Hanashiro, Imagn Images)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James goes up for a dunk in the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Staples Center on Oct. 27, 2019.

(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James celebrates after a dunk by guard Danny Green during the second quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Staples Center on Nov. 17, 2019.

(Kelvin Kuo, Imagn Images)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James takes center court to speak to fans before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on Jan. 31, 2020.

(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James gestures to a referee after a foul call during the first quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center on Feb. 21, 2020

(Robert Hanashiro, Imagn Images)

LeBron James and Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers in a Black Lives Matter Shirt kneel with their teammates during the national anthem prior to the game against the LA Clippers at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on July 30, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. on July 30, 2020.

(Pool photo by Mike Ehrmann via Imagn Images)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) holds up four fingers after winning his fourth NBA championship after game six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena on Oct. 11, 2020.

(Kim Klement, Imagn Images)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James reacts after receiving 2020 NBA Championship ring before a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on Dec. 22, 2020.

(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James lands on fans sitting court side as he dives after a ball in the second half against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on Jan. 24, 2023

(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images)

Former Los Angeles Lakers player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar hands the game ball to forward LeBron James (6) after James becomes the NBA all time scoring leader against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 7, 2023.

(Gary A. Vasquez, Imagn Images)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) with forward Anthony Davis (3) during a stoppage in play against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on April 11, 2023.

(Gary A. Vasquez, Imagn Images)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James dunks the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center on Nov. 27, 2023.

(Bill Streicher, Imagn Images)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James shoots the ball against New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) in the NBA In Season Tournament Semifinal at T-Mobile Arena on Dec. 7, 2023.

(Kyle Terada, Imagn Images)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) warms up on the court prior to he start of the game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on Jan. 30, 2024.

(Dale Zanine, Imagn Images)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James prepares for the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on Mar. 31, 2024.

(Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) scores a basket against the Miami Heat as center Jaxson Hayes (11) reacts during the second half at Crypto.com Arena on Jan. 15, 2025.

(Gary A. Vasquez, Imagn Images)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James dribbles the ball against the Dallas Mavericks during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 25, 2025.

(Gary A. Vasquez, Imagn Images)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoots past Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (2) and Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) during the second half at American Airlines Center on April 9, 2025.

(Kevin Jairaj, Imagn Images)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket against the Orlando Magic in the first quarter at Kia Center on Mar. 21, 2026.

(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after dunking the ball against the Orlando Magic in the first quarter at Kia Center on Mar. 21, 2026.

(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket as Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) defends during the first half at American Airlines Center on April 5, 2026.

(Kevin Jairaj, Imagn Images)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoots the ball against Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) and guard Amen Thompson (1) in the second half during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2026.

(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)

What Shams says

ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania addressed the timing of James’ decision on NBA Today.

“It’s decision time for LeBron James,’’ Charania said. “Because all of the information for the most part is in. GMs, presidents, owners, they’ve all been heard from. They’re continuing to have conversations with agent Rich Paul here this week as well. Players have also reached out to LeBron James to recruit him.’’

According to Charania, the leading suitors have been Cleveland, Miami, Golden State, Philadelphia and Minnesota.

What Polymarket says

The Polymarket prediction market posts by percentage the chances of James signing with the following teams:

Cleveland Cavaliers (45%): It’s the one place James could chase another ring (his fifth) and not be derided as a ring chaser. In Cleveland, he’ll always be the prodigal son.

Golden State Warriors (25%): It’d be a blast to watch James team up with Steph Curry and Draymond Green. But their collective gas tank might be empty when the playoffs start.

Miami Heat (18%): Could anyone fault James for taking his talents back to South Beach, where he won his first two NBA titles? Well, of course they could!

According to Polymarket, it’s also still too early to count out the Philadelphia 76ers (7%), not to mention the Minnesota Timberwolves (3%), San Antonia Spurs (1%) and Denver Nuggets (1%).

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