Rumors Continue To Swirl About LeBron James’ Seemingly Inevitable Cleveland Exit

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James’ future in the NBA has become a hot topic of discussion once again. The superstar forward can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2018, and all signs appear to be pointing to him leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers for the second time in his career.

On Friday, the speculation kicked into another gear with a report from Bleacher Report anonymously quoting league executives that James would leave the team. At this point, it seems that more people think he’s leaving Cleveland rather than the three-time NBA champion finishing his career with the Cavaliers.

“He’s out,” a Western Conference scout says.

“Foregone conclusion,” one Eastern Conference general manager adds.

“I don’t see him staying in Cleveland,” another thinks.

As if the Kyrie Irving trade to the Boston Celtics wasn’t indication enough of the dysfunction in Cleveland, the momentum is building for arguably the league’s best player moving on. LeBron famously calls Los Angeles “home” now and many believe he may bolt to the Los Angeles Lakers next summer with the team having him in their crosshairs.

Although the Lakers appear to be LeBron’s most likely destination, nothing is set in stone and probably won’t be until free agency gets under way next summer on Aug. 1. James is still at the top of his game and may have a few more championship runs in the tank while Cleveland seems to be scrambling to figure out what to do in the short-term.

If LeBron does indeed test free agency as expected, the Lakers could be atop of a short list of potential destination with Magic Johnson looking to bring back Showtime.