Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Urges LeBron James to End Career in Cleveland
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NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar publicly encouraged LeBron James to finish his playing days with the Cleveland Cavaliers, calling a return to the four-time MVP’s hometown a “fitting ending” to one of basketball’s greatest careers.
In a June 30, 2026 post on X, the former Los Angeles Lakers center thanked James for his eight seasons in Los Angeles and said Cavaliers supporters deserve the chance to bid farewell to their native star. “LeBron was a winner on and off the court, and Laker fans should appreciate his performance for the last 8 years,” Abdul-Jabbar wrote while tagging @KingJames. “If LeBron goes home to Cleveland, it won’t matter if they win the World Championship or not, because his hometown fans will get their opportunity to say their goodbyes to one of the greatest ever.”
Abdul-Jabbar, 79, closed the post with a lighthearted remark: “And who knows, one day he may become Mayor of Cleveland!!”
James, 41, informed the Lakers earlier this week that he intends to sign with another team when free agency opens. League sources have linked the NBA’s all-time leading scorer most frequently to the Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat, though several other franchises have also expressed interest. The forward has not announced a timetable for his decision and is reportedly expected to weigh his options carefully.
James began his career in Cleveland in 2003, left for Miami in 2010, returned to the Cavaliers in 2014 and joined the Lakers in 2018. He has won NBA championships with the Heat, Cavaliers and Lakers.
Source: Hoops Wire
