LeBron James will be come an unrestricted free agent next Summer and people are already speculating about where he might end up should he leave the Cleveland Cavaliers. In fact, talk of where LeBron will play in the 2018-19 season has been going on for quite some time but it's all just rumors and speculation at this point.
On Friday, TMZ Sports shared part of a conversation between Smith and a photographer, who said "LeBron's gone man. Deal with it." The photographer then asked JR whether he thought LeBron would leave Cleveland and join the Los Angeles Lakers as some, including LaVar Ball, have expected.
JR's response was perfect.
"I think LeBron's gonna be wherever the f--k he wanna be at!" Smith said.
At this point, it seems as though the Los Angeles Lakers are the front runner to land the 32-year old 4x NBA MVP after the 2017 season comes to an end. What's more, some insiders are now saying it's more likely than not that LeBron will be wearing purple and gold in the next stage of his career.
Peter Vecsey recently posted a rumor update last week in which he claims "I'm comfortable now in stating unequivocally, LeBron will leave the Cavaliers a second time and join the Lakers, and return the team to L.A. lore status."
Per HoopsHype,
"Accordingly, I'm publicly terminating the pandemic of speculation surrounding LeBron James' playing plans past this season," Vecsey wrote. "For months, many in the media declared or composed presumption the Lakers would be the beneficiaries of his talents when he became a free agent July 1, 2018. I'm eradicating all conjecture and uncertainty! I'm comfortable now in stating unequivocally, LeBron will leave the Cavaliers a second time and join the Lakers, and return the team to L.A. lore status."
While the rest of the world discusses LeBron's future, he and the rest of the Cavs roster, including JR Smith, will prepare for yet another NBA Finals run in the upcoming season. That journey beings on Tuesday, October 17th when the Cavaliers play host to Kyrie Irving and the Boston Celtics to kick off the NBA season.