{"id":704476,"date":"2026-04-08T03:25:45","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T03:25:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/704476\/"},"modified":"2026-04-08T03:25:45","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T03:25:45","slug":"is-lebron-james-less-interested-in-a-return-to-the-cavaliers-than-we-thought","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/704476\/","title":{"rendered":"Is LeBron James less interested in a return to the Cavaliers than we thought?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

An interesting piece of information got lost in the drama surrounding LeBron James saying he doesn\u2019t like playing in Memphis<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Apparently, Cleveland is on that list, too.<\/p>\n

It makes you wonder if James just gave us a clue about his future.<\/p>\n

\"LeBron<\/p>\n

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 27, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s rewind.<\/p>\n

On a recent appearance of \u201cBob Does Sports,\u201d James talked about Milwaukee and Memphis as NBA road cities that he doesn\u2019t enjoy visiting.<\/p>\n

His comments about Memphis, in particular, sparked significant backlash. At Lakers practice on Saturday in Dallas, he was asked if he wanted to clarify them<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI said Milwaukee as well,\u201d James said. \u201cI\u2019m 41 years old, there\u2019s two cities I do not like playing in right now. And that\u2019s Milwaukee and that\u2019s Memphis. What is your problem with it? I don\u2019t like going home either, s\u2013t, and I\u2019m from there. People are ridiculous. They also get mad at my son being on the team, too. So, what are we talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n

For James, the uproar was much ado about nothing. He\u2019s been doing this for an unprecedented 23 seasons. Is he not allowed to have preferences?<\/p>\n

But while he shut down the reporter\u2019s question, he raised another: Would James not want to return to Cleveland?<\/p>\n

James, who\u2019s earning $52.6 million this season with the Lakers, will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.<\/p>\n

\"LeBron<\/p>\n

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a three point basket during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on April 5, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

He remains uncertain about his future. He could retire or return for his 24th season \u2014 with the Lakers or elsewhere.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to imagine him playing with any team at this stage in his career besides the Lakers (where he has spent the last eight seasons) and Cavaliers (where he played 11 seasons), though he has also been tied to the Warriors and Knicks.<\/p>\n

But if he chooses to return \u2014 and doesn\u2019t want to remain with the purple and gold \u2014 playing for the Cavaliers would wrap a bow around his storied career.<\/p>\n

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James, who\u2019s from Akron, Ohio, was drafted by the Cavaliers in 2003. He spent seven seasons with the team before leaving for Miami in 2010. After four years away, James returned to the Cavaliers in 2014, leading them to four straight Finals appearances, including their first championship in 2016.<\/p>\n

Cleveland may not be one of James\u2019 favorite road cities to pass through, but it clearly holds a very special place in his heart.<\/p>\n

When the Lakers played there in January, James teared up during a video tribute.<\/p>\n

He already chose to rejoin the franchise once. Maybe basketball decisions would supersede his newfound passion for year-round green golf courses<\/a>.<\/p>\n

After all, James would have a much easier path to the Finals with the Cavaliers than the Lakers in the very crowded West. If James teamed up with Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Jarrett Allen, the Cavaliers would instantly become a title contender.<\/p>\n

\"LeBron<\/p>\n

LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates after hitting the game winning shot to beat the Toronto Raptors 105-103 in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on May 5, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. Getty Images<\/p>\n

But the truth is, no one knows what James is going to do, including probably James himself.<\/p>\n

At the top of the season, there was a lot of speculation about James returning to Cleveland, with multiple pundits claiming that was the most likely scenario for him next year if he chose not to retire. But that chatter died down after the Lakers found their stride in March, going on a 15-2 run.<\/p>\n

James\u2019 agent, Rich Paul, says all of that conjecture is nothing but hot air.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no truth to any of it,\u201d Paul said on his podcast, \u201cGame over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul.\u201d \u201cFirst of all, I don\u2019t know what\u2019s happening. He don\u2019t know either. We don\u2019t even talk about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"LeBron<\/p>\n

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Washington Wizards on March 30, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

James wants to see how he\u2019s feeling after the season.<\/p>\n

What happens in the playoffs<\/a> will likely have a large influence on his future, which is unfortunate because the Lakers will be surrounded with \u201cwhat ifs\u201d after Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves both sustained injuries Thursday that will sideline them for the remainder of the regular season and likely the first round of the playoffs.<\/p>\n

So, this is what we know.<\/p>\n

When arguably the greatest player of all time<\/a> makes his decision about his future, there will be a lot of factors at play.<\/p>\n

A major one?<\/p>\n

As James said, \u201cI don\u2019t like going home either.\u201d<\/p>\n

He might\u2019ve been referring to the hotel he stays at in Cleveland. Or the cold weather. It\u2019s hard to know how much to read into that and whether it\u2019ll impact his decision.<\/p>\n

But it was one of the biggest clues James\u2019 fans received about what he may or may not do next season.<\/p>\n