LeBron James rumored to consider leaving the Lakers! 29 teams ranked into 8 tiers: Is returning to the Cavaliers the best choice?

On July 1st Beijing time,reporter Shams stated that the nearly 41-year-old LeBron James still wants to compete for a championship and is keeping a close eye on the Lakers. If he believes the Lakers aren’t contenders, he will be open to joining another team.It must be emphasized that LeBron holds trade veto rights, giving him full influence over where he ends up.

For the past seven years, LeBron’s interests have closely aligned with the Lakers. He rescued the team from the long dark period after Kobe Bryant’s retirement and, despite aging, remains among the NBA’s best players. As long as he wears the purple and gold, the team retains a championship window. Although recent seasons have been turbulent—the Lakers traded young players for Davis and won the 2020 title, then sacrificed depth to acquire Westbrook and later gave up a first-round pick to move him—the partnership, though rocky, has been fruitful: one championship and a Western Conference Finals appearance. It makes sense they continue to trust each other.

Now, this consensus might be breaking for the first time. The Lakers acquired Luka Dončić at the trade deadline; the 26-year-old Slovenian is clearly a more logical and long-term franchise cornerstone who can sustain an 8-10 year championship window, while LeBron’s prime may only last 8-10 months. LeBron’s agent Rich Paul said, “LeBron wants to compete for a championship.”

If LeBron leaves the Lakers, where might he go?From various perspectives and categories, CBS Sports ranked 29 teams into 8 tiers—

Tier 8: Destinations he would absolutely never agree to

29. Jazz: A rebuilding team even rookies avoid; why would the greatest player in history willingly join?

28. Pelicans: De’Anthony Melton recently revealed internal turmoil; as a fellow Rich Paul client, LeBron would definitely avoid this mess.

27. Hornets: Once an interesting idea under Jordan’s leadership, now just a small-market lottery team that recently traded away all their big men. LeBron would have to adapt to a no-center lineup.

26. Wizards: Unless he also becomes U.S. President to shorten his commute.

25. Kings: Fun fact, LeBron is the only active player to have experienced the Kings winning a playoff series (2006), but that clearly doesn’t mean they have championship hopes in 2025.

24. Raptors: They seem eager for stars in the offseason, but their roster is far from championship caliber.

23. Trail Blazers: Close to Nike’s headquarters, might like pairing with Jrue Holiday, but last season’s 36 wins and a late surge still don’t make them contenders.

22. Grizzlies: Weakened after trading away Bane, and several stars have actively resisted trades to Memphis in the past year.

21. Bulls: The city is attractive, but everything else doesn’t fit. LeBron chasing Jordan’s legacy is unlikely to play in Jordan’s home arena, especially since the Bulls aren’t strong.

Tier 7: Teams he would likely reject

20. Pistons: Interesting basketball fit (LeBron + Cunningham), but LeBron prefers veterans (last offseason he wanted Lakers to pursue Klay Thompson, DeRozan, Harden), so betting on Cunningham’s future is unlikely.

19. Timberwolves: Tried pursuing Durant but failed; even though LeBron and Edwards are Olympic teammates, no star has ever voluntarily chosen Minnesota.

18. Magic: Better market than Pistons/Timberwolves, but Banchero is too young and lacks shooting, making fit questionable.

17. Hawks: Similar to Magic (many wings, little shooting, market helps), Trae Young can share ball-handling duties, but Young switched agencies last year and LeBron’s camp’s attitude toward him is unclear.

16. 76ers: LeBron wouldn’t want to gamble his late career on Embiid’s health.

Tier 6: Even if interested, trades are impossible

15. Bucks: Teaming with Giannis in the weaker East is tempting, but Bucks lack matching salary assets; Lakers won’t accept Lillard’s contract for minimal young assets and picks.

14. Suns: The idea of LeBron and Beal swapping (both having trade vetoes) is absurd; Lakers don’t want Beal’s contract. Suns could offer Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks from the Durant trade, but LeBron wouldn’t want to clean up Durant’s mess, and their contracts clash with Lakers’ 2026 salary plans.

13. Rockets: Have assets but no matching salary. After trading Green and Dillon for Durant, VanVleet just signed a new non-tradeable deal; trading for salary match would require sending Sengun, which Rockets won’t do at a loss.

Tier 5: Possible if playoffs unfold differently

12. Pacers: Haliburton would be an ideal partner if healthy, but after his Achilles tear, Pacers lack the appeal to attract LeBron.

11. Thunder: Just won a championship, roster full with 15 players, no changes expected.

Tier 4: Too much history to make it happen

10. Celtics: LeBron has always battled the Celtics as an adult; even if he leaves, his Lakers legacy means joining Boston would harm his career achievements in L.A. Plus, with Tatum injured, LeBron would only be a “substitute teacher.”

9. Heat: Riley publicly welcomed LeBron back, but unless it’s hometown, his reasons for returning to Miami aren’t as strong as going back to Cleveland. LeBron hinted the reaction when he left Miami hurt him, and with Riley micromanaging even his chocolate chip cookies, nearly 41-year-old LeBron might not have patience for that anymore.

Tier 3: He might seriously consider these

8. Nets: LeBron once called New York his favorite city, including Brooklyn. The Nets have flexible cap space and many draft picks and could trade for another star after acquiring LeBron. But he can’t wait for another “Anthony Davis,” and the Nets’ roster has five rookies, far from ready to compete immediately.

7. Spurs: LeBron and Popovich respect each other, even if Popovich retires he remains team president. Playing with Fox and Wembanyama could contend right away, but Spurs didn’t fully pursue even younger Durant with Texas ties, and LeBron’s trade veto might block further moves.

6. Nuggets: LeBron calls Nuggets owner Kroenke a “close friend” and they vacationed together. With Jokic at his peak, the LeBron-Jokic duo is formidable, but Lakers might not want Murray’s contract (already have enough ball handlers), and trading Aaron Gordon plus other assets is unlikely.

5. Clippers: LeBron likes living in L.A.; Harden’s lack of ball handling when resting is the biggest issue. They have expiring contracts and two tradable future first-round picks. Would they bet on LeBron’s short window? Would LeBron bet on Leonard’s health? Would Lakers forget the Zubac trade grudge? These are solvable and worth discussing.

Tier 2: Realistic possibilities

4. Mavericks: If LeBron requests a trade, Mavericks are a team to watch. He has worked with their two cores (Davis, Irving), their winning timeline matches Nico Harrison’s short-term plan, and they have prior connections through Nike. Mavericks hold Lakers-desired assets (Kristi, 2029 first-round pick). Though the trade would weaken depth, involvement of other teams could make it feasible. Irving wanted to recruit LeBron two years ago; this time it might succeed.

3. Warriors: Tried to trade for LeBron at 2024 trade deadline but were rejected; now the situation is different—LeBron has teamed with Curry at the Olympics and is close with Draymond Green (despite Finals rivalry). The trio wants a fifth ring. Warriors’ future first-round picks attract Lakers, but salary matching is tough—they’d likely have to trade Jimmy Butler, whose contract’s second year and difficult personality deter potential takers.

2. Knicks: LeBron has nearly always “eyeing” the Knicks during his career, met directly in 2010, and used them as a bargaining chip before. Now the fit is unprecedented: Brunson + Towns provide offensive support, Anunoby shares defensive duties, Bridges + Robinson + Hart’s contracts help with salary matching. Knicks’ depth might decline, but they could field the best starting five in the weak Eastern Conference, possibly presenting their best championship opportunity in 50 years.

Tier 1: The lure of homecoming

1. Cavaliers: This is a unique tier; all signs point here. If LeBron wants to leave Los Angeles, the most comfortable choice might be to return home again. The Cavaliers won 64 games last season and are ready to win— their greatest moments in history are tied to LeBron.

But the trade is extremely complex: salary matching is needed, at least $20 million in contracts must be moved (including core players like Garland), and it’s uncertain if the Cavaliers want to take the gamble. However, almost every great moment in Cavaliers history involves LeBron; pairing him with Mitchell and Mobley in the currently weakest East could directly lead to the Finals. Though details are complicated and require sacrifices, if both sides agree, it’s not impossible.

Where do you think LeBron will go? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.