Rumors are swirling that Lebron James could be leaving the Los Angeles Lakers. There are some real signs the star could be traded or become a free agent very soon. Robert Marvi with Lebron Wire highlights his thoughts on the latest with Lebron. He also passed along NBA journalist Brian Windhorst’s analysis on the situation:

“If the LeBron James era hasn’t ended yet for the Los Angeles Lakers, it seems to be moving toward a conclusion faster than ever after James exercised his player option for the 2025-26 season and his agent, Rich Paul, made a comment implying that James may want to be traded in the near future. Paul clarified that he hasn’t had trade discussions with the Lakers. Still, many are speculating or even predicting that James may not be on the team’s roster come October. Brian Windhorst said on ESPN Cleveland that the superstar and the Lakers are “beginning to move apart” and that this is the beginning of the end of his time with the franchise.

“I would say that’s uncertain,” said Windhorst when asked if James will finish his career with the Lakers. “And I would say one thing I feel pretty good about today, although things can pivot, is that LeBron’s time with the Lakers is beginning to come to an end, you know? They are beginning to move apart. You can actually argue that that started when they traded for Luka [Doncic].

“I know that everybody thought that LeBron was in on that. And I know I said at the time I didn’t believe that. LeBron was not in on it. I don’t know what to tell you. He was not in on it. He wasn’t against it, you know? I think he was shocked that they traded Anthony Davis. But LeBron was not in part of that decision process. I know that there are people who believe that he’s a general manager and you can’t talk them out of it, so I will not try. But that was a move that was away from LeBron as the center of the team.”

Lebron’s future with the Lakers continues to look even more bleak. With his time in the league running out, it only makes sense for him to make the most out of the last years of his career. These reports continue to open the door for his return to Cleveland.

With Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley in a wide open Eastern Conference, a potential return to Cleveland has to be an enticing possibility, shaping Lebron’s evaluation of the current state of the Lakers.

Evan Mobley teaming up with Lebron James at some point becomes an even more likely scenario for this offseason. This would be the league-shaking move of the summer.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: LeBron James back to Cavs is a hot NBA rumor–Evan Mobley is watching