Stephen A. Smith believes LeBron James should end his NBA career where it began—back in Cleveland.
During a recent episode of First Take, Smith said the four-time champion would be better off finishing his career with the Cavaliers than continuing with the Lakers.
“Why don’t you just come back to Cleveland and end your career?” Smith said. “He’d have a better chance of winning a championship in Cleveland than he would in LA.”
James, 40, recently opted into the final year of his deal with the Lakers, entering his 23rd NBA season.
According to Shams Charania, James remains “supportive and understanding” of the Lakers’ current transition, as the franchise shifts its focus to Luka Doncic.
Doncic, 26, signed a three-year, $165 million max extension earlier this offseason, cementing himself as the Lakers’ new centerpiece.
Marc Stein reported that James personally FaceTimed Doncic after the deal was finalized, a sign of mutual respect despite the generational shift in leadership.
However, James’ long-term future in Los Angeles is unclear.
He was notably absent, along with son Bronny, from the team’s press conference for Doncic’s extension—fueling speculation about what comes after the 2025–26 season.
Charania added that the Lakers are letting James dictate the terms of his exit, stating, “He wants to end his career on his own terms and I think he’s earned the right to do that.”
He won a title with the Cavaliers in 2016, delivering the franchise’s first championship and ending the city’s 52-year title drought.
As the Lakers pivot to a Doncic-led era, James’ next move—whether staying in Los Angeles or returning home—remains one of the league’s most closely watched storylines.
