After a string of social media posts featuring LeBron James, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst believes the Los Angeles Lakers star is being passive aggressive with the team.
Brian Windhorst On LeBron And Lakers
"By doing what he's doing, he is absolutely poking the bear… by the way, the Lakers are being passive aggressive back at LeBron," – @WindhorstESPN on LeBron's social media activity. pic.twitter.com/LfFXhcaEzH
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) July 8, 2025
It’s summertime in Cleveland, Ohio.
James, who currently plays for the Lakers, was spotted at the Cleveland Cavaliers’ practice facility.
The Ohio native typically heads back to his hometown every year during the summer. James being in Cleveland during this time is nothing new.
However, the internet is quick to run with any story, including rumors that James is plotting his return to Cleveland, hence why he’s in town.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, who has covered James for his entire career, went on ESPN Cleveland to talk about what’s going on right now with “King James.” Windhorst acknowledged that James knows these social media posts will lead to stories about him. However, the ESPN NBA analyst also pointed out how the Lakers are being just as “passive aggressive” as James.
“LeBron absolutely knows that he will cause a wave with these social media things,” Windhorst said. “On one hand, he is just coming home for the holiday. He is just doing something that he has done numerous times in the past. On the other hand, he is absolutely poking the bear and being passive aggressive. And by the way, the Lakers are being passive aggressive back at LeBron. They did not announce his option pick-up. So they’re both acting in the same way. Now, how is this going to get resolved. And my answer to you in full honesty is I don’t know.”
Is LeBron To The Cavs A Real Thing?
"Yes, I think I can speak for the Cavs organization to say that if LeBron wanted to play at $3 million they would do that contract," – @WindhorstESPN on the Cavs interest in LeBron if he got bought out 🧐 https://t.co/aL2Zgzdfdd pic.twitter.com/cDNURhz1il
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) July 8, 2025
Rumors about James’ departure have been swirling despite his decision to opt into his $52.6 million player option with the Lakers.
Much of the speculation can be attributed to James’ statement, which acknowledges that although the “Lakers are building for the future,” the four-time NBA champion “values a realistic chance of winning it all.”
James, 40, will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2025-2026 season.
If James plans to leave after the season, would it be in the best interest of the Lakers to trade him before the deadline?
Due to his high salary and the lack of teams with the proper ammo to acquire James, Windhorst doesn’t see a trade happening. However, he won’t rule it out, especially if it’s to the Cavaliers.
“With a straight face, I can’t say that it’s impossible, but you have to understand, they can’t feasibly trade for him,” Windhorst said about the Cavs trading for James.
If the Lakers are a top team in the Western Conference, they will likely hold onto James. If Los Angeles somehow has a poor season, expect trade rumors for James to ramp up before the deadline in early 2026.
