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Where will LeBron James play this season? Picks, predictions for next team

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We’re getting down to the final stretch.

LeBron James is weighing his options and will soon decide his next stop, after he informed the Los Angeles Lakers in late June that he would be moving on from the franchise.

James has been deliberate during his unrestricted free agency, and earlier in the week, a person with direct knowledge of the matter told USA TODAY Sports that James has all the information he needs from prospective teams. Now, it’s all about the waiting and the announcement – for the prospective teams, basketball fans and the NBA at large, including commissioner Adam Silver.

Here are predictions from USA TODAY Sports NBA experts on where LeBron James will decide to play next season:

I do think the Cavaliers are a stronger pull as far as storylines go; Akron, Ohio is James’ home and Cleveland is the team that selected him first overall in the 2003 NBA Draft. But, on a basketball level, I don’t love the fit. Donovan Mitchell and James Harden are both ball-dominant guards who do best when they’re initiating. James, at this stage of his career, is a better facilitator than he is a pure scorer. Cleveland, in my estimation, forces James to sacrifice parts of his game.

In Miami, he can be far more of a creator, as the Heat currently lack a pure distributor. And when paired with Giannis Antetokoumpo, this would give Miami two of the elite transition players – if not the two best fastbreak players of all time. The Heat would still need to add some shooting, but Miami would instantly improve their standing as a competitor in the East. I also have a hard time seeing James, in his 24th season, playing for a new franchise.

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LeBron James: See his rise from high school basketball standout to NBA legend

LeBron James, regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, entered the NBA straight out of high school as the number one pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003. Take a look back at the four-time NBA champ’s career from high school to the Cavaliers, the Miami Heat, back to Cleveland, and most recently with the Los Angeles Lakers.

(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)

If LeBron James wants to realistically compete for a championship, he needs to return home and go to Cleveland. It would be a great story whether the Cavaliers end up dethroning the New York Knicks or not. The Cavaliers are younger and more athletic than the other teams vying for his services, and he doesn’t necessarily have to come in and average 20 points a night for them to win games.

He certainly is a defensive liability at this point in his career, but the Cavaliers have more than enough frontcourt and rim protectors to make up any deficiencies there.

I know folks are complaining about how long this decision is taking but, in LeBron’s defense, he did prepare us for a drawn-out process in May. As far as where he goes, I’m absolutely clueless. Miami makes the most sense for all the reasons previously mentioned. Cleveland has its heartfelt reasons, it’s a hell of a storyline and ending to a legendary career, whether it concludes with a championship or not.

However, based on James’ statements about what’s important to him at this point in his career, I’d have to lean on him choosing the Golden State Warriors to finally team with Stephen Curry. James has shared his desire to remain close to family, and the Bay Area allows him to do that as he stays in California, less than two hours from Los Angeles – by flight. James also loves golf and throughout the Bay Area there are a number of great courses.

For a long time, James has entertained the idea of playing alongside Curry, and more or less his friend Draymond Green. We saw a sample size during the 2024 Olympic games and it was magical. To top it off, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was the coach of the U.S. men’s national basketball team that year when they won the gold medal.

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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)

Mark Giannotto: Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron James finishing his record-setting career where it started feels too good to pass up for someone as image-conscience as him. The Cavaliers were also the closest to winning an NBA title last season among the teams reported to be James’ top suitors.

James H. Williams: Cleveland Cavaliers

James could create a full-circle moment for himself with a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, especially if he is planning to retire after the upcoming season.

Depending on how long he is willing to play, he could potentially win two more NBA titles and tie Michael Jordan. While it may be too much to ask of James to turn a franchise around on his own at this stage of his career, he could help elevate the Cavs to be the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.

Regardless, a third stint in Cleveland would be meaningful and impactful for the city. He would be welcomed back with open arms and would again be a boon for downtown spending. James has also clearly made an effort to remain close to his roots, spending the early part of this summer in his hometown of Akron, Ohio like he does every year.

Victoria Hernandez: Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron James got to live the superstar life in his career, winning two titles basking in South Beach with Miami and then spending the last eight seasons in Hollywood with the Lakers. It’s understandable that James would want to join his buddy Stephen Curry along with Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler, and let’s not forget about the gem that is Al Horford, for a bit of an ole boys club with Golden State. But wrapping his legacy up in his home state in a return to the Cavaliers would be the full circle moment that the King knows tugs at heartstrings in a way that’s bigger than basketball.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Where will LeBron James play this season? Picks, predictions for next team

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