NBA All-Star: LeBron James Hints At Return To Cleveland, Reveals Plan For Final Year

LeBron James made a shocking confession about his future in the league during the All-Star weekend.

James is now in his 19th season in the NBA. At 37, he is well aware that the idea of calling it a career is already a subject of discussion. However, James insisted that retirement is not coming yet as he eyes spending his final season in the same team as his son Bronny, who could be draft-eligible by 2024.

“I don’t play mid-level basketball,” James told The Athletic. “I don’t come back for anything below the top.”

“My last year will be played with my son,” he continued. “Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point.”

Before joining the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018, James was spearheading the Cleveland Cavaliers in their championship rivalry with the Golden State Warriors. He successfully brought the title back to L.A. in 2020, but as things stand, it appears that the Cavs are better playoff contenders than the Lakers.

Having rebuilt since James’ departure, the Cavs are now fourth in the East and have an impressive 35-23 record. When asked about the possibility of a second comeback to Cleveland, the fourth-time MVP admitted that it has never been ruled out.

“The door’s not closed on that,” the Lakers forward said of potentially joining the Cavs in the future. “I’m not saying I’m coming back and playing, I don’t know. I don’t know what my future holds. I don’t even know when I’m free.”

“I think [Cavs general manager Koby Altman] and those guys have done an unbelievable job drafting and making trades,” James noted. “I think big fella [Jarrett Allen], that acquisition was amazing for them to make that trade. Obviously, Darius Garland is a big-time player. And I think the role that Kevin [Love] is playing right now has kind of uplifted those young guys, seeing a veteran that could sacrifice, a champion that’s won a championship, all the things that he’s done, to come off the bench and play this role. I am not surprised by anything that they’re doing right now.”

James is now in Cleveland for this year’s NBA All-Star weekend. He will be leading Team LeBron on Sunday for the much-awaited All-Star game. It will be the 18th All-Star appearance of his stellar career.