Charles Barkley believes LeBron James should return to Cleveland

The NBA community awaits a decision on whether LeBron James plans to return for a 24th season in the league.

The 41-year-old star had stated on his “Mind the Game” podcast that he would contemplate a decision, but nothing would come before he spent time with family over Memorial Day weekend.

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“Obviously, I understand that I’m a free agent and I can control my own destiny … but like, I haven’t even really got to that point,” James said in mid-May. “I haven’t even taken my family vacation yet. … That’s kind of the thing at the forefront of my mind.”

Memorial Day weekend has come and gone, but things have remained fairly quiet publicly. A decision from James will be crucial to how the Lakers (and other teams) then approach free agency.

Charles Barkley was asked about James’ future when appearing on ESPN’s “Get Up” on Friday, June 5.

“LeBron only has one play and that’s to go back to Cleveland,” Barkley said. “That’s his only smart and logical choice.”

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Barkley believes that James should’ve never left Cleveland after the 2017-18 season.

“They’ll probably be the favorites in the East or in that conversation,” Barkley said. “… It doesn’t do him any good to stay in L.A. Because No. 1, they aren’t going to be competitive in the West, and also it’s time for the Lakers to turn the team over to (Luka Doncic).”

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LeBron James: See his rise from high school basketball standout to NBA legend

LeBron James, regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, entered the NBA straight out of high school as the number one pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003. Take a look back at the four-time NBA champ’s career from high school to the Cavaliers, the Miami Heat, back to Cleveland, and most recently with the Los Angeles Lakers.

(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)

1 / 39

LeBron James: See his rise from high school basketball standout to NBA legend

LeBron James, regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, entered the NBA straight out of high school as the number one pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003. Take a look back…

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Publish date : 2026-06-06 00:01:00

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