LeBron James‘ future in the NBA is one of the biggest questions among fans and experts. The Los Angeles Lakers star exercised his $52.6 million player option over the summer. A contract extension wasn’t on the table between James and the Lakers. While there’s a chance that James could retire after the 2025-26 season, many believe that he’ll sign a new contract in the summer.
Returning to the Lakers is still a possibility. However, there’s also a belief that James could sign with a different franchise and have a storybook ending in his career. One team that has emerged to be a potential destination for the four-time champion is the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel was asked about his thoughts on James potentially returning. When asked by Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson on Monday, Manziel said that he believes James’ camp knows what’s best for the Lakers star when it comes to his future.
“I would like for him to do whatever,” Manziel said. “The way they move and the way they are — Maverick [Carter] and Rich [Paul] and that whole crew, they’re gonna make the best decision for them and what they want to do, right?
“They have the ability and opportunity to do any and everything they want. If that’s go to Cleveland, or wherever it may be, they’re on top of that. They’re some of the most genuine, smartest people on the face of the earth. I’m very fortunate for the time I did spend with them and what I got to learn from them.”
Will LeBron James deliver the ultimate storybook ending by returning to Cleveland for his final NBA year? 🤔
Former Browns QB Johnny Manziel tells Scoop B Radio that LeBron and his team are "some of the most genuine and smartest people on the face of the Earth" and will… https://t.co/3KvdkaoBdU pic.twitter.com/zzDVGJCEPY
— 👑 Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) December 1, 2025
Johnny Manziel and LeBron James have a history of making an imprint on Cleveland. Manziel had help from LRMR, a marketing firm owned by the NBA star and run by CEO Maverick Carter, Randy Mims and Richard Paul. They helped the NFL star’s jersey sales blow up.
Zach Lowe said that the Cavaliers are at the center of LeBron James’ potential destinations
Fans are looking forward to witnessing what LeBron James’ career will look like after this season. According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, the Cleveland Cavaliers are at the top of the list of organizations willing to give the star a farewell tour.
“Now, what happens after this season?” Lowe said. “I know people with the Cavs who are looking around like, ‘You want to do a retirement tour?’ I know people with the Warriors are looking around like, ‘Hey, you want to fulfill that dream over here?’ Dallas — that was a rumor. We’ll see what happens.”
Everything depends on what James has planned for his looming retirement.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
