Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James knows that at age 41, the end of his career is near. Even though he is still playing at a high level in his 23rd season, he’s not gonna play forever and because of that, he has taken a few extra moments to soak everything in throughout the course of the year.
That happened on Wednesday night when he made his annual trip back home to play the Cleveland Cavaliers. Considering the are in different conferences, LeBron and the Lakers only make one trip to Cleveland per year and it’s usually a special one for him.
It always nothing but love between James and the Cavaliers. During the first quarter, they gave him another tribute video and this time, LeBron couldn’t help but get emotional watching it:
LeBron got emotional after the Cavs played a tribute video for him.
(via @NBA_Philippines) pic.twitter.com/pQH5B1fp7N
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) January 29, 2026
After the game, James explained why he got some emotional compared to past tribute videos, via Spectrum SportsNet:
“I don’t know. Didn’t expect that, but obviously a lot of memories here. A lot of history. So just super grateful and thankful for the time spent here and the memories. I obviously looked up there and remember that moment like it was yesterday.”
LeBron added that considering his future is up in the air, he is focused on being present in road arenas this season since it could be his last:
“I think it just comes from being present. Obviously I was more present today then I was for the previous seven. It wasn’t like the highlights that were going on, obviously that’s a great memory for me. But I was just young and just out there being ultra-competitive, I think I was 22 in that video. Some of the previous videos, one I think they actually showed us winning the championship too. So that video, if I was gonna get emotional, it would probably have been that one. But like I said, just being present in the moment and it definitely got to me a little bit, for sure. Like I said, super thankful.”
Considering James is undecided on playing beyond this year, Wednesday night could potentially have been his last game in Rocket Arena, a place he called home for 11 years across two different stints.
James is responsible for the only championship in the city of Cleveland in decades, leading the Cavs to a championship in 2016. Because of that, he will always have a special bond with his hometown team that drafted him first overall all the way back in 2003.
Now that Wednesday night’s game is over though, James and the Lakers will shift their focus to getting back on track to finish their road trip after a very poor performance against the Cavaliers.
Cavaliers would ‘gladly’ welcome LeBron James back in free agency
If James chooses to continue playing in 2026-27, he will have the ability to test free agency this offseason for the first time in his career.
Considering a return to the Lakers is still up in the air, one other option may be going back to Cleveland to finish his career. And according to recent reports, the Cavaliers would ‘gladly’ welcome James back home for one more season.
The Cavaliers had been hesitant in the past, focusing on building around their young core, but it appears they have had a chance of heart after coming up short in the playoffs the last couple of years.
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