LeBron trade rumors continue to swirl, odds of a Cleveland return ticking up

According to Bovada, the Cleveland Cavaliers possess 10-1 odds of being LeBron James’ team for the first game of the 2019-20 season.

James hasn’t demanded a trade.

At least not yet.

But given the apparent dysfunction surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers, some have begun to call for the 4-time MVP to request a trade from his current team.

Meanwhile, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith claims some in the organization have already suggested to owner Jeanie Buss that she should be the one initiate a deal.

Either way, James’ future with basketball’s most famous franchise suddenly seems cloudy.

While the betting odds suggest it’s most likely James will remain in Los Angeles, they’ve also begun to entertain the possibility that he’ll open the 2019-20 NBA season on a different team.

Hours after the Lakers reached a public impasse with former Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue in their coaching search, Bovada released odds for which team James will be on when the next NBA season begins.

At -600, the Lakers are a heavy favorite to keep the 15-time All-Star, with the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers listed as his most likely suitors at +700.

Behind the Knicks and Lakers are James’ two former teams, with the Cavs and Miami Heat each given +1000 odds of reacquiring the 3-time NBA champion.

Other teams listed in Bovada’s latest round of odds include the Chicago Bulls (+1500) and Indiana Pacers (+1800).

That said, it’s worth noting that when asked last summer about the possibility of a return to the Cavs at the end of his career, James said he wouldn’t rule it out.