Stephen A. Smith and LeBron James (Photo by Imagn Images)
Stephen A. Smith believes LeBron James should return to the Cleveland Cavaliers. On a recent episode of First Take, the ESPN analyst argued that James has a clear path to a championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers rather than the Los Angeles Lakers. As the 40-year-old enters his 23rd NBA season, his future remains a topic of conversation following another early playoff exit for the Lakers.
James opted into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season, which keeps him in the Lakers’ depth for at least one more year. Despite averaging 24.2 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds last season, the Lakers could not get past the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers finished as the East’s top seed but fell in the second round to the Indiana Pacers.
“Why don’t you just come back to Cleveland and end your career? He’d have a better chance of winning a championship in Cleveland than he would in LA,” Smith noted. “If LeBron James came back to Cleveland – you’re the favorites to come out of the East.”
“Why don’t you just come back to Cleveland and end your career? He’d have a better chance of winning a championship in Cleveland than he would in LA [with the Lakers].”
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If James returns, it would mark his third stint with the Cavaliers, where he remains the all-time leader in points, assists, and steals, possibly giving him the final title run he is chasing.
Stephen A. Smith Makes His Opinion On LeBron James’ Retirement
Stephen A. Smith and LeBron James (Photo by Imagn Images)
Smith remarked that James should think about returning soon, but not before making one last push with an Eastern Conference team. He argued that James still has a chance to compete if he leaves the Lakers.
“The weather’s beautiful in Southern California,” Smith said on First Take. “But we know, it has become crystal clear that, pretty much, the weather and Hollywood are the only reasons why LeBron is there. Because he d–n sure isn’t going to win a championship there. It ain’t gonna happen.”
Smith criticized the strong Western Conference, with teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, and Denver Nuggets, as too harsh. He added that the East offers an easier path if James wants a final title run.
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