LeBron James will be a free agent at the end of the 2017-18 NBA season, meaning his days in Cleveland are likely numbered, as reports suggest he plans on leaving the Cavs regardless of what happens with Kyrie Irving.
Throughout the offseason rumors have surfaced that LeBron wants to play for the Los Angeles Lakers after the 2017-18 season, though there are a number of scenarios that could impact his decision next Summer.
However, it does appear that he's ready to move on from the Cleveland Cavaliers, again.
According to Chris Sheridan, an NBA source believes LeBron is 100% leaving Cleveland after this season because his relationship with team owner, Dan Gilbert, is beyond repair.
The Cavs obviously hope they can resign LeBron to a long term deal next Summer, but the organization is certainly preparing as though he's going to leave.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports,
"As the Cleveland Cavaliers deliberate on deals to move All-Star guard Kyrie Irving, the franchise is operating under a self-prescribed mandate: Presume a future without LeBron James."
"Cleveland isn’t giving up on the possibility of re-signing James next summer, but it is no longer investing blind faith in the hope he will stay. For James, a reluctance to commit comes with an emerging set of complications. Beyond Irving’s decision to ask for a trade, Cleveland has determined that it’s unwilling to simply be reactive to James’ possible departure."
