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LeBron James made it clear last month that retirement was not yet in his plans. The four-time NBA MVP said he plans to continue playing in 2026-27, but not with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sixteen years ago, James placed his free agency at the center of a nationally televised spectacle. “The Decision,” a special tied to his work with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, ended with James revealing that he was leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat.
James left Miami in 2014 to return to his home state of Ohio, where he finally delivered the Cavaliers their first NBA title in 2016. He changed teams again in 2018 and joined the Lakers.
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A view of LeBron James speaking on stage during The Shop Live panel at Fanatics Fest at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City on July 17, 2026. (Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for fans)
More recently, speculation has arisen that James could be considering another return, this time to South Florida. Miami only fueled that conversation earlier this week when it shared a since-deleted social media post linking to what was billed as the “LeBron James Introductory Press Conference.”
A Heat team spokesperson later told ESPN that the supposed livestream event was not legitimate.
“I haven’t read anything about it, I haven’t talked to (anyone about it). But I guess where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter said of the link in question.
AGENT RICH PAUL SAYS LEBRON JAMES WILL NOT BE USED BY NBA’S FREE AGENCY DECISION DESPITE OUTSIDE PRESSURE
Schefter’s comments aligned with growing speculation that James could land in Miami alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo next season.
ESPN’s Monday Night Football Countdown announcer Adam Schefter is seen on the sideline before the NFL International Series game between the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico, on Nov. 21, 2022. (Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports)
“I got a text message that said, ‘Get ready for LeBron to go to Miami. I can read you the exact text,” Schefter continued during a recent appearance on Philadelphia’s 97.5 The Fanatic. “‘I heard Bron is coming to the Miami Heat, I just want to let you know. You might want to check it out.'”
Schefter pointed to a notice he said he received on June 30, when reports first emerged that James would consider playing his 24th NBA season outside of the Lakers.
In 2010, James decided to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers and sign for the Miami Heat. “The Decision” received criticism from Cavaliers fans and LeBron James detractors. During his time in Miami, LeBron James won two NBA Finals. He left the Miami Heat in 2014 to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers. James claimed that he returned to Cleveland to raise his children in his hometown. Fans speculate that he returned to bring a title to the team that drafted him. (Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Estabrook Group)
The Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers have also been linked to James.
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James remained productive last season, averaging 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds in 60 games. He remains the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
