2016 NBA Rumors: LeBron James Leaving Cleveland Cavaliers for Los Angeles Lakers?

By Carlo Monzon
LeBron James
Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) is interviewed by NBA TV analyst Isiah Thomas following the 93-89 victory against the Golden State Warriors in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena.  Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

On Sunday, LeBron James fulfilled his promise to Cleveland after leading the team to victory and ending the curse that loomed over the city's professional sports leagues for over 50 years. But, now that the Cavaliers have snatched an NBA championship, there are talks that James could become a free agent next month and join another team.

Game 7 became a momentous event for Cleveland after the Cavs defeated the Golden State Warriors and ended the series at 4-3. For James, who returned to Ohio after his stint with the Miami Heat, this is what he's been longing for for his original NBA team, the Cavs.

Although one would probably expect that he would stay in Cleveland in the hopes of going for a back-to-back title next season, various sources are saying that he might leave the Cavs for another team. Some are saying that he will return to Miami but it seems that the Los Angeles Lakers are more likely to acquire him.

According to NESN, Stephen Smith of ESPN said that if James does decide to leave Cleveland, he will most likely end up in Los Angeles.

"I'm also hearing that it's a huge, huge possibility if indeed he decides to depart from Cleveland that the Los Angeles Lakers will be in the mix," Smith said on Monday's ESPN First Take. "There are some changes that LeBron would want made if he's going to go to L.A. and wear the purple and gold."

"He obviously has aspirations beyond basketball," he added. "Being in the Los Angeles market wearing the purple and gold could very well facilitate all of that."

Smith also noted that there have been reports stating that James might enroll his kids at a school in Los Angeles. If this is true, then it would probably be the first move that James would make before joining the Lakers.

Of course, if James is free, then the Lakers will probably present him a very desirable offer. After all, they have a pretty big cap space that can certainly accommodate the likes of James. In addition, Los Angeles is probably looking for a great player that can follow in the footsteps of Kobe Bryant and lead to the team to next season's finals series.

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