LeBron James Once Planned to Stay in Cleveland Before a Franchise-Altering Rift

As LeBron James navigates his 23rd NBA season, new details continue to emerge about the pivotal decisions that shaped one of the greatest careers in sports history. While fans often associate LeBron’s 2018 move to the Los Angeles Lakers with Hollywood ambitions and legacy building, recent reports suggest that his original plan was never to leave Cleveland at all.

Instead, a fractured relationship with Kyrie Irving quietly set off a chain reaction that ultimately led James away from the Cavaliers—and into the next defining chapter of his legendary career.

LeBron James’ Historic Career: Cleveland Roots and Lakers Legacy

LeBron James has spent 11 of his 23 NBA seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers across two separate stints, making the franchise inseparable from his story. Drafted first overall in 2003, James became the face of Cleveland sports almost immediately, carrying enormous expectations and delivering unforgettable moments.

After leaving for Miami in 2010 and winning two championships with the Heat, LeBron returned to Cleveland in 2014 to fulfill what many considered his unfinished business. That second stint resulted in four straight NBA Finals appearances and the iconic 2016 NBA championship, ending Cleveland’s 52-year title drought.

In 2018, James shocked the basketball world again by signing with the Los Angeles Lakers on a four-year, $153.5 million contract, ushering in a new era for the franchise. Two years later, he delivered the Lakers’ 17th championship inside the Orlando bubble.

Now in his eighth season in Los Angeles and the final year of his contract, LeBron once again faces an uncertain future—one that invites reflection on the decisions that brought him here.

LeBron James Still Elite at 41 Years Old

Despite being 41 years old, LeBron remains one of the NBA’s most productive and influential players. While there are natural signs of aging, his performance continues to defy conventional expectations.

During the 2025–26 season, James is averaging:

• 22.5 points per game

• 6.0 rebounds

• 7.0 assists

• 1.0 steal

Those numbers place him comfortably among the league’s upper tier and reinforce why teams still build game plans around stopping him—even two decades into his career.

With free agency looming once again, speculation surrounding his next move has intensified.

Report: LeBron Intended to Stay in Cleveland Until Kyrie Irving Rift

According to ESPN insider Brian Windhorst, LeBron James had every intention of staying with the Cleveland Cavaliers before the situation with Kyrie Irving unraveled in 2017.

Speaking on The Sedano & Kap Morning Show, Windhorst explained that James’ departure plans crystallized only after it became clear that Irving no longer wanted to play alongside him.

“I think LeBron intended to stay in Cleveland and then the Kyrie Irving thing blew up,” Windhorst said. “That was in 2017. LeBron decided before his last year that he was going to be done in Cleveland.”

The tension between the two stars culminated in Irving requesting a trade—a stunning development that left Cleveland’s championship window fractured and forced James to reassess the franchise’s long-term direction.

How the Lakers Entered LeBron’s Vision

Windhorst added that as early as 2017, LeBron began surveying the league for his next opportunity. That’s when the Lakers emerged as a compelling option.

“I think in 2017, he looked around and saw the Lakers and saw a great opportunity,” Windhorst explained.

Whether the decision was finalized in the summer of 2017 or later that year, the writing was already on the wall. Cleveland’s uncertainty—combined with Los Angeles’ flexibility, market size, and long-term appeal—proved decisive.

Cleveland Wasn’t Always in the Loop on LeBron’s Plans

Interestingly, Windhorst also revealed that the Cavaliers have historically been caught off guard by LeBron’s free agency intentions.

In 2014, Cleveland reportedly had no idea James was open to returning from Miami until Rich Paul, his longtime agent, contacted the front office. At the time, the Cavaliers were pursuing Gordon Hayward before suddenly pivoting to a LeBron reunion.

That second Cleveland stint, while successful, lasted just four seasons—ending not because James wanted to leave home, but because the competitive foundation had eroded.

Lakers Drama: Jeanie Buss and the 2022 Trade Rumors

While LeBron’s departure from Cleveland stemmed from basketball reasons, his time in Los Angeles has not been without controversy.

An explosive ESPN report by Baxter Holmes claimed that Lakers governor Jeanie Buss explored trading LeBron James to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2022. The report cited internal turmoil within the Buss family and Buss tightening her inner circle during that period.

Holmes further reported that Buss was reluctant to extend James’ contract in 2023 and felt constrained by circumstances—particularly with Bronny James’ NBA aspirations and the franchise’s public commitments.

Jeanie Buss Pushes Back Strongly

Following the report, Buss responded publicly through The Athletic’s Sam Amick, pushing back against the narrative that LeBron was unappreciated.

“It’s really not right, given all the great things LeBron has done for the Lakers, that he has to be pulled into my family drama,” Buss said. “To say that it wasn’t appreciated is just not true and completely unfair to him.”

Her statement sought to reaffirm the organization’s respect for James while distancing him from internal conflicts.

“Something Is About to Go Down”

Adding fuel to the fire, Chris Haynes of NBA on Prime recently hinted that major developments involving LeBron and the Lakers may be imminent.

“Something is about to go down,” Haynes reported, without elaborating.

With James entering free agency for the fourth time in his career, speculation now ranges from another Lakers extension to a potential final chapter elsewhere—perhaps even a farewell tour designed to maximize his legacy.

What This Means for LeBron’s Legacy

If Windhorst’s reporting is accurate, LeBron James’ exit from Cleveland in 2018 was not driven by Hollywood, branding, or impatience—but by a fractured partnership that altered the Cavaliers’ trajectory.

It reframes one of the most scrutinized decisions in NBA history and underscores how player relationships can reshape franchises.

As LeBron stands at the crossroads once again, one thing is certain: every move he makes continues to reverberate across the league.

And if history is any indication, the next chapter will be just as consequential as the last.