LeBron James Begins Offseason Work Amid Cavaliers Trade Rumors

It was a much-needed break from basketball for 41-year-old LeBron James after his 22nd season in the NBA. He spent time vacationing in Italy before reuniting with his 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers teammates to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their championship. The group met in London and later partied in Saint-Tropez. But now, it is time for the King to return home and begin preparing for what will almost certainly be his 23rd season in the league.

James, a free agent heading into the 2026-27 campaign, is back in the gym for the annual offseason grind. Fans caught a glimpse of his workout after he posted two Instagram stories.

In the first, he showed the weights he used for lifting, and in the other, he shared an image of his bare feet while he was at the gym.

These snippets come amidst uncertainties regarding his future.

There were rumors that James was considering retirement, but for now, that seems unlikely. Even his former Cavaliers teammate Iman Shumpert, who met him in Europe, insisted that LeBron was taking such good care of his body that it was all but certain he would lace up his sneakers for at least one more season. But where he will play is another mystery altogether.

James became an unrestricted free agent this summer, and since then, he's been linked to many teams, including a potential return to the Los Angeles Lakers. But the purple and gold team's recent activities might suggest something different.

According to NBA Insider Brian Windhorst, James and the Cleveland Cavaliers could have another reunion. He said that the Los Angeles Lakers are interested in getting a deal done via a sign-and-trade.

This comes after the Los Angeles Lakers re-signed Austin Reaves to a record-breaking, $185 million, four-year deal. This contract is the largest ever for an undrafted player and reflects Reaves' steady improvement since entering the league. He averaged 23.3 ppg and 5.5 apg in the 2026-27 season.

With their backcourt duo and the source of their offensive firepower now mostly secured with a Reaves-Luka Doncic partnership, it's time for them to focus on building their frontcourt. While they have the option of retaining Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes, there is a more intriguing player they could trade for to bolster the defensive shortcomings that have plagued them since trading Anthony Davis.

That trade scenario is where LeBron James comes in.

LeBron James could get traded for this Cleveland Cavs star

The trade scenario Brian Windhorst proposed has the Los Angeles Lakers acquiring an All-Star center.

Jarrett Allen, who made the 2022 All-Star team, could make his way to Hollywood if things align. Of course, it would require a great deal of participation from James.

The Lakers could fill the hole at their center position by acquiring Allen, while James gets to go back to his hometown team a decade after he helped secure the franchise's first NBA title. However, for this deal to get done, the Cavs would have to be willing to break up their frontcourt of Allen and Evan Mobley, something that they haven't given any indication of.

James, meanwhile, needs to actually want to come to Cleveland.

If he does decide to come back for another campaign and the Lakers focus fully on Luka Doncic, he could opt to negotiate with any other front office that calls him.

As James' agent, Rich Paul previously stated on The Pat McAfee Show that about a dozen teams are interested in acquiring him. He has even been linked with a move to the Golden State Warriors, where a dream partnership with Stephen Curry remains a possibility. Teams can officially begin negotiations with James on June 30, when the NBA's free-agency period opens.

After a moratorium period, deals can also be officially struck by July 6th.