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LeBron James made it clear last month that retirement is 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 made his free agency the centerpiece of a nationally televised spectacle. “The Decision,” a special related to his work with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, ended with James revealing that he would be leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat.
James left Miami in 2014 to return to his home state of Ohio, where he ultimately gave the Cavaliers their first NBA title in 2016. He changed teams again in 2018, joining 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 on July 17, 2026. (Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Fanatics)
More recently, speculation has surfaced that James may be considering another return, this time to South Florida. Miami only fueled this narrative 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 purported live-streamed event was not legitimate.
“I haven’t read anything, I haven’t told 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 PRECEDED ON NBA FREE AGENCY DECISION DESPITE OUTSIDE PRESSURE
Schefter’s comments dovetailed with growing speculation that James could land in Miami alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo next season.
Broadcaster Adam Schefter of ESPN’s Monday Night Football Countdown is seen on the sideline before the NFL International Series game between the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico on November 21, 2022. (Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports)
“I had a message that said be 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 give you a heads up. You might want to take a look.'”
Schefter highlighted advice he reportedly received on June 30, when reports first surfaced that James was considering playing his 24th NBA season away from the Lakers.
In 2010, James decided to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers and sign with the Miami Heat. “The Decision” garnered backlash 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 he returned to Cleveland to raise his children in his hometown. Fans believe he came back 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.
