Former LeBron James teammate breaks down NBA star's free-agent options, warns him about Cavs return

The sports world awaits LeBron James’ determination arsenic to wherever he will motion during nan NBA offseason.

If nan rumor mill is correct, James is deciding among nan Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers. He spent nan past 8 years pinch nan Los Angeles Lakers, bringing nan squad a title during nan coronavirus pandemic-affected season.

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Los Angeles Lakers guardant LeBron James takes a walk arsenic Oklahoma City Thunder defender Shai Gilgeous-Alexander defends during nan first half of Game 3 of a second-round NBA playoff bid May 9, 2026, successful Los Angeles. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)

Iman Shumpert, 1 of James’ teammates pinch nan Cavaliers, gave his return connected wherever he should sign.

"If this is astir a ring, spell to Philly," he said connected nan "Shump Street" podcast. "If this is astir trading tickets Miami. If this astir ending your profession nan measurement it should go, spell to Cleveland. Just don’t spell to Cleveland trying to beryllium happy astir a triumph because you not going to triumph there. You’re not going to beryllium happy. This is astir nan return tour. This is not astir winning. Don’t you situation spell complete location reasoning it’s rolling pinch nan winners.

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Los Angeles Lakers guardant LeBron James stands connected nan tribunal successful nan closing minutes of Game 4 of a second-round NBA playoff bid against nan Oklahoma City Thunder, May 11, 2026, successful Los Angeles. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)

"I don’t cognize what’s up pinch them during nan playoffs, don’t do it. I’ve been connected a squad pinch LeBron erstwhile he was disappointment and he felt for illustration he sewage excessively overmuch going on. He going to commencement shipping s--- retired of there, man. LeBron useful for UPS, I’m telling y’all."

It’s unclear erstwhile James will make his decision. It’s besides unclear what James is genuinely looking for successful a squad and really agelong he will play for that organization.

He’s proven he could still play astatine a precocious level. But by nan extremity of nan year, he will beryllium turning 42 and nan longevity he’s utilized to having connected nan tribunal whitethorn deteriorate astatine immoderate moment.

LeBron James (23) of nan Los Angeles Lakers looks connected during nan 4th fourth of a crippled against nan Denver Nuggets astatine Ball Arena connected Jan. 20, 2026 successful Denver, Colorado. (Tanner Pearson/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images)

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Last season, James gave nan Lakers 60 games. He averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game. He ended up leaving Los Angeles successful nan offseason.