Latest news with #LeBron
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kai Cenat on the MJ vs. LeBron debate, his most underrated player ever
The internet sensation spoke with Yahoo Sports to share his thoughts on the NBA's GOAT debate, his favorite underrated player and also his relationship with the NFL draft's top overall pick Travis Hunter. Kai joined Yahoo Sports on behalf of State Farm's Gamerhood. View more Video Transcript I feel like Jordan, Jordan, Jordan's supporters are more like older hands, you feel what I'm saying? like they grew up on Jordan and stuff and then LeBron supporters are like my generation. LeBron supporters are like my generation. But like LeBron is the only person you can successfully praise and compliment. Like he's just, he's the one that you can literally compliment and it's OK. LeBron's a GOAT, bro. I ain't gonna lie, bro. Bron is Bron. You know, I got to see Bron play when I was born and growing up. You feel what I'm saying? I'm pretty sure he's tough, he's a GOAT and a huge inspiration. Not only is he great on the court, but off the court, you feel what I'm saying? Family man, inspiration. And he be proving so many people wrong. Crazy. The answer Barbosa is to go, one of the greatest players, most underrated too, no cap. There were certain games where he dropped 16, a couple of points, made some passes, got some rebounds, and they all affected in the long run. With me and Trav, it's literally on the spot with the creativity of the live chat going to. You feel me? Those are, those are hard, but they, but he be pulling them off though. I ain't gonna cap. Wait till he's in the NFL or somebody about to go crazy. I mean, if you could do it, if you could do both ways, let him do both ways. I'm trying to see that. Every time I come back to State Farm, we're always doing something cool and something unique, something different, and I'm, I just like coming back. I've been saying it all day. I think the set is crazy. I think they did a great job with all of this and this looks absolutely amazing. Like it's legit. I feel like I'm really in the gamerhood. Close
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
LeBron James Reportedly Frustrated With Lakers' Lack Of Direction Since Westbrook Trade
LeBron James Reportedly Frustrated With Lakers' Lack Of Direction Since Westbrook Trade originally appeared on Fadeaway World. LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers may be heading for an awkward standoff. According to Lakers insider Anthony Irwin, the four-time champion has grown increasingly frustrated with the team's lack of direction since the Russell Westbrook trade. Despite now being paired with superstar Luka Doncic, LeBron is reportedly unsure about the franchise's long-term vision, and it's creating tension behind the scenes. 'On LeBron James' side, there is real frustration over the Lakers' lack of direction since the Russell Westbrook trade,' wrote Irwin. 'The whole thing has become pretty awkward, and yet the reality is they're both better off with each other. There is no trade the Lakers would make that would give James a better chance at a title than he has playing with Doncic.' The Lakers traded for Westbrook in the summer of 2021 in a huge package centered around Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell, three second-round picks, the draft rights to Isaiah Jackson, and a future pick swap with the Nets in 2025. At the time, LeBron was a huge supporter of the trade, and some say he helped pull the strings to get him there. Unfortunately for LeBron and the Lakers, signing Westbrook ended up as a huge mistake that set their team back by years. It wasn't until he was traded in 2023 (in a deal with the Jazz) that the Lakers finally experienced a shift in their identity. In the years that followed, a fragmented vision kept the Lakers in the dark with mistakes that included short-term moves and conflicting roster builds. It was nothing but forgettable seasons for years until Luka Doncic joined the fold in the 2024-25 campaign. Frankly, the Lakers were mismanaged and headed for collapse until Mavericks GM Nico Harrison bailed them out with a lucrative trade offer they couldn't refuse. The whole thing has been frustrating for LeBron James, who is now 40 years old. But if his main goal is to win, there may be no better place for him than by Luka Doncic's side. Together, they can achieve great things and have the potential to make some serious waves in the West. But while the duo of LeBron and Luka offers massive upside on the court, the Lakers' inability to execute a consistent long-term plan is still a problem. Even with two generational talents on the roster, there's a sense that Los Angeles is building on the fly, hoping talent alone will be enough to carry them deep into the postseason. At this stage of his career, James doesn't have time for another rebuilding project. With a player option for the 2025–26 season, LeBron holds all the leverage, and if he feels the Lakers aren't maximizing his final years, he could explore other options—either via trade or free agency next summer. Still, there's reason for optimism. With Luka Doncic in his prime and James still playing at a high level (24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game last season), the Lakers are as competitive as they've been in years. The key now is building a roster and a strategy that LeBron can fully buy into. Whether the front office can deliver on that remains to be seen, but they may not have much time left before LeBron makes his next big story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
LeBron James Has Had No Buyout Or Trade Talks With Lakers, Expected To Be Available For Training Camp
LeBron James Has Had No Buyout Or Trade Talks With Lakers, Expected To Be Available For Training Camp originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Despite a frenzy of offseason speculation, LeBron James is not headed anywhere, at least for now. According to a detailed report by The Athletic's Dan Woike and Joe Vardon, James has not engaged in any buyout or trade conversations with the Los Angeles Lakers. There is no indication from either camp that such talks have taken place, and all signs point to James reporting to training camp ahead of the 2025–26 NBA season. The 40-year-old superstar, who recently opted into the final year of his $52.6 million deal, is still expected to wear purple and gold this fall. James' decision not to pursue an extension after opting in to his player option sparked immediate buzz around the league. Combine that with Rich Paul's cryptic statements about evaluating what's best for LeBron "at this stage in his life and career," and rumors swirled about a possible split between the NBA's all-time leading scorer and the Lakers. But reality, as it turns out, is far more stable than the headlines suggest. LeBron has been active and visible with the team throughout the summer. He was seen shaking hands with Rob Pelinka, exchanging laughs with head coach JJ Redick, and supporting his son Bronny at Summer League games in Las Vegas. All of it pointed to one conclusion: James is still fully invested in the Lakers. Some of the confusion began when it became clear that James would not be the centerpiece of the franchise moving forward. That title now belongs to Luka Doncic, the 26-year-old superstar the Lakers acquired in a blockbuster midseason deal. Yet rather than fueling division, Doncic's arrival may actually be extending LeBron's championship window. As long as James continues to perform at a high level, pairing him with Luka could give the Lakers a legitimate title shot. From a business standpoint, the Lakers have no incentive to rush LeBron out. They want to keep their books clean for next summer, and James' expiring contract gives them maximum flexibility. Trading him for another star would commit them to long-term salary, something they've been trying to avoid. A buyout, meanwhile, makes even less sense. If they cut him before training camp, Cleveland, one of LeBron's rumored suitors, could sign him. But if they wait until after the season starts, the Cavaliers (currently over the second apron) would be ineligible to pick him up due to the NBA's new CBA rules. Those hoping for a dramatic exit should temper their expectations. League sources have consistently stated there's been no pressure from LeBron's camp to push a move. Scoop B reported that four teams, the Clippers, Mavericks, Warriors, and Cavaliers, had reached out to Rich Paul regarding James, but none of that has translated into anything substantial. James also holds a full no-trade clause, so any deal would require his full approval. There's also the sentimental aspect. This season could be LeBron's last in the NBA, and he's made it clear how much playing alongside his son Bronny means to him. Bronny, who is under contract for three more years with the Lakers, has been improving steadily under the organization's development plan. LeBron recently called it the most gratifying experience of his career. In the meantime, James is staying busy off the court—golfing, vacationing, and rehabbing his left knee. So until further notice, the King stays in Los Angeles. He may no longer be the singular face of the franchise, but alongside Luka Doncic, he still has a chance to author one more magical story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA Exec Says LeBron James Made a Mistake Not Returning To Cavaliers
NBA Exec Says LeBron James Made a Mistake Not Returning To Cavaliers originally appeared on Fadeaway World. One anonymous NBA executive believes LeBron James blew his chance at a perfect ending. According to Hoops Wire, the unnamed exec said James should have opted out of his $50 million deal with the Lakers this summer and returned home to Cleveland, where he could have joined forces with Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley. In the exec's eyes, that lineup would have 'walked to the NBA Finals' and set up a legendary third act for James in a Cavaliers jersey. "I'm not gonna sit here and tell someone to say no to over $50 million, but LeBron is a billionaire, man,' the NBA exec told Hoops Wire. 'He has enough money and makes enough off the court. If I were in his camp, I would have told him to decline his player option with the Lakers and sign with the Cavs. That would have been the smart play." James, 40, has been a Laker since 2018, but he had the opportunity this summer to chart a different course. As it stands, it looks like James will be heading back to the Lakers to finish his career, but not everyone agrees that it's the best place to maximize his title odds. 'Do you know how dangerous Cleveland would have been? LeBron starting next to Donovan [Mitchell], Evan [Mobley], Jarrett [Allen], and Darius [Garland]? They would have walked to the NBA Finals, and it would have been a storybook ending for LeBron to finish his career in Cleveland," said the exec. "I think he made a mistake.' James (career averages of 27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game) has a long and complicated history with the Cavaliers. First of all, he was born in Akron, Ohio, which is not far from Cleveland. Growing up a Cavs fan, his story went full circle when he was drafted by the franchise with the No. 1 overall pick in 2003. He rose to stardom right away and was a hero in the city until his dramatic exit in 2010. He spent four years with the Heat, which was met with resentment and vitriol from the fans. Eventually, he returned to the Cavs and helped them win a title in 2016 before he left once again to sign with the Lakers. A return to Cleveland at this stage would've been the ultimate storybook ending—one that also positioned him to chase another ring with Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. While the Cavs are in the second apron, James likely could have forced his way back there this summer if he really wanted, especially in a buyout scenario. Instead, LeBron missed his chance, and he may come to regret it later. Instead, LeBron may have let the perfect ending slip away, and the regret could come later. For now, LeBron James remains in Los Angeles, still competing at an elite level as he enters his 22nd NBA season. But as the end of his career draws near, the idea of a final chapter in Cleveland—where it all began—will always linger in the minds of fans and execs alike. Whether or not James regrets staying in L.A., one thing is clear: the storybook ending was right there waiting for story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bryce James Hints LeBron James' Retirement May Be Coming Soon
Bryce James Hints LeBron James' Retirement May Be Coming Soon originally appeared on Fadeaway World. LeBron James, the face of the NBA for two decades, is once again at the center of speculation, but this time, the biggest clue about his future may have come from his own son. Bryce James, the youngest of LeBron's two basketball-playing sons, offered a candid and rather revealing comment during an Instagram Live session that strongly suggests the King's reign could end after the 2025–26 NBA season. Bryce, an incoming freshman at the University of Arizona, was asked whether he believed his father would still be in the NBA long enough to share the court with him, similar to the way LeBron and Bronny James have been linked. His response was both casual and telling: 'I ain't gonna lie, that's OD. Waiting until that's too much. They said my dad still gonna be in the league when I get drafted... That's too much. No. No. He's gonna be 42, bro.' It was the kind of offhand comment that sparks a firestorm, especially given the layered context surrounding LeBron's future. James recently opted into his $52.6 million player option with the Lakers, seemingly committing to one more season in Los Angeles. Yet, his agent Rich Paul later complicated the narrative by telling ESPN that James and the Lakers aren't necessarily on the same page. Trade rumors started bubbling again. Retirement whispers resurfaced. And now Bryce's comment seems to support the theory that 2025–26 could be LeBron's last dance. At 40 years old, LeBron remains remarkably effective. Last season, he averaged over 25 points and nearly 8 assists per game, still orchestrating offense like a maestro. But the physical toll of 22 NBA seasons, playoff marathons, four Olympic runs, and nonstop media attention has to weigh heavily, even on someone who treats his body like a temple. Adding fuel to the fire is the viral video in which LeBron casually mentioned that his wife, Savannah, wants him to retire. While that could have been lighthearted, in hindsight, it aligns with the idea that the family is leaning toward the end being near. Bryce's perspective adds unique credibility because he's close enough to LeBron to know his intentions, yet detached enough to speak honestly. If his assumption is that his father won't be playing in the NBA by 2026, it speaks volumes. The idea that LeBron wouldn't stick around to play with both sons, something once believed to be a bucket-list goal, suggests that reality may be setting in. Bronny is already with the Lakers. Bryce, a three-star recruit, still has a few years to go. And LeBron, turning 42 by then, may simply not want to or be able to stretch his career that far. No formal announcement has been made. LeBron, ever the master of controlling his narrative, may want one last season to dictate the farewell on his own terms. But if Bryce is right, we may already be witnessing the final chapter of a career unlike any the sport has ever story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
