The NBA hasn't played in recent days, and most teams have gone on vacation except for all-Star players with game assignments. The Lakers, who have been in poor shape this season, have only been named an All-Star, and the 37-year-old veteran is thrilled to return to his hometown of Cleveland for an All-Star game. Although in the twilight of his career, LeBron James has played an unexpectedly efficient performance this season. As of All-Star Weekend, James was fourth in the league with 36.8 minutes per game and third in the league with 29.1 points per game, behind Embiid and Antetokounmpo. Considering the Lakers' poor situation this season, it is even more rare that James can play such a statistic. James' ability to maintain the league's top competitive form at the age of 37 is something that many people have not been able to imagine, and his one-year contract to expire has caused endless reverie.
Most fans once thought that James, who had renewed his contract with the Lakers for four years after winning the championship, would retire in Los Angeles. However, considering the lakers' poor condition and James's still excellent form, James, who entered the free agent market in 24 years, will still be the most sought-after free agent. James also made interesting remarks in several media interviews over All-Star Weekend, claiming that he did not know when he would enter the free market, but that everything about his future was "uncertain." When a local reporter in Cleveland asked James if he would return to play for the Cavaliers, James bluntly said that the door back to Cleveland was "not closed." As soon as this remark came out, many fans began to imagine the beautiful picture of LeBron returning home to play for the Cavaliers until retirement, and today Xiaobian will give you an analysis of which team James is most likely to be next.
The Lakers' woes are obvious, and after the failure of the big bet On Westbrook, the big team that has played well in the past two seasons has completely become a playoff marginal team. The rumors of infighting in the Lakers exposed at the trade deadline this season are even more thought-provoking, and the discord between Pelinka and Zhan Mei seems to have become an open secret. Although James is partly responsible for the failure to bring in Westbrook, once the Lakers are no longer willing to consider James's opinion when signing, it is obviously not impossible for the superstar to leave the team. The Lakers' salary space is locked, and even if Westbrook is disposed of this summer, it will still be difficult for them to become the top team in the championship team again. Coupled with Anthony Davis' frequent injuries, James's loss of patience is not without reason.
Just like after James left the Cavaliers to join the Heat, cleveland team once again used the draft to cultivate young players after James's second departure to become a strong team in the East. Although it is not up to the standard of championship teams, the Cavaliers' playoff prospects this season are even better than those of the Lakers. If James wants to return to the Cavaliers in two years' time, the chances of the Cavaliers returning to the Finals will increase dramatically. In addition, we should also consider the recent frequent exposure of "father and son on the same stage" rumors. It is reported that LeBron is even willing to accept a middle-class contract in order to compete with his eldest son Brownie for one season before retiring. If this rumor is true, then James' return to the Cavaliers will be more likely. After all, if James sees playing on the same stage with his son as the most important requirement, it will make more sense to return to the famous team to play with his son in his home city. Do fans and friends think James' decision four is coming? Welcome to discuss and communicate in the comments section!