Bill Simmons believes LeBron James has already made his free agency decision but is waiting to reveal it later in the offseason.
The 2026 offseason has seen a lot of action already, with All-NBA players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jaylen Brown getting traded.
But the headliner for the offseason will be LeBron’s decision to join a new team for his 24th NBA season. While the decision is taking time, Bill Simmons believes it is already final.
Bill Simmons claims LeBron James’ return to Cleveland is ‘done’
On the latest episode of ‘The Bill Simmons Show,’ the iconic sports analyst declared that LeBron’s decision to go back to the Cleveland Cavaliers is done, adding that rumors of LeBron going to the Warriors were a leverage play.
“And now it’s pretty clear they (Golden State) were being used as leverage as LeBron goes back to Cleveland… The Cleveland thing is done.”
This would be James’ second return to Cleveland and third stint with the franchise that drafted him in 2003.
A homecoming to the Cavaliers is the most poetic option and might present one of the strongest basketball options as well. The question is, why is the official decision taking so long?
LeBron James’ return to Cleveland isn’t certain yet
With how carefully James and his camp are going about his free agency, it’s hard to believe anything that is reported unless it comes directly from LeBron.
However, Simmons is among the most respected voices in sports media, recently being the first one to reveal that the Boston Celtics had offered Jaylen Brown in a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade.
Former NBA All-Star Jeff Teague also believes James is headed back home to Cleveland, with the 41-year-old currently spending his offseason in his home state.
James is still fielding competitive offers from contending teams around the NBA, so a new decision could emerge at the 11th hour.
But it seems all the tea leaves are pointing towards him coming back to Cleveland.
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