NFL Teams Joke About Signing LeBron James, 41, After Lakers Exit

Q: Will LeBron James join his former rivals to form one last NBA super-team?

Probably, but not yet. The strongest evidence points to LeBron James staying in the NBA and seriously considering the Golden State Warriors, where he could join former Finals rivals Stephen Curry and Draymond Green for a late-career star pairing. Multiple reports say Golden State is actively positioning itself to pursue him, and betting markets list the Warriors as the favorite. Draymond Green’s opt-out is widely viewed as a cap-flexibility move tied to that pursuit. That said, a full “super-team” scenario is still speculative. The Warriors’ cleaner path is signing James with a midlevel-type deal, but any bigger version involving Anthony Davis would require a difficult trade and major financial maneuvering. Reports indicate Golden State has explored that idea, yet there is no completed deal, and league insiders remain skeptical because of age, salary constraints and roster complications. James still has other realistic options. Cleveland is the other major contender in betting markets, while Miami and San Antonio have also been discussed. Sauce Gardner’s Pacers prediction reflects outside speculation more than reporting. What is clear is that James has left the Lakers, remains productive at 41, and intends to play a 24th season elsewhere. So the answer is that he could join former rivals in Golden State, and that is currently the most credible super-team path. But as of now, it remains an active possibility rather than an imminent or confirmed outcome.

3 articles · Updated · Bleacher Report · Jun 30

Green Bay, Jacksonville, Buffalo and Houston publicly joked Tuesday about becoming LeBron James' next stop after news broke that he told the Lakers they can move on without him.
Rich Paul told ESPN that James plans to play elsewhere in what would be his 24th NBA season, making an actual football switch far less likely than the social-media recruiting suggested.
James still has football credentials: he posted 103 catches, 2,065 yards and 23 touchdowns in high school and once drew Division I interest as a wide receiver.
The jokes also played off roster needs—both the Packers and Jaguars went through the 2025 season without a 1,000-yard receiver, while Green Bay skipped pass-catchers in the 2026 draft.
At 41 and turning 42 in December, James became part of a wider cross-sport gag after the NFL circulated Jerry Rice highlights and Sauce Gardner predicted an NBA move to Indiana instead.