LeBron James Clears The Air On His Future With Lakers

"You guys take some of my words and twist them to places where they shouldn't go." That's how LeBron James has described the drama over his comments during the All-Star Break in Cleveland. During an interview with The Athletic, James dropped some bombs about a possible return to the Cavaliers being in his future, and that he also wants to finish his career in a couple of years by playing with his son Bronny ("Wherever Bronny is at, there's where I'll be.")

Now, with rumors swirling about all of that leading up to LeBron wanting out of LA, James has decided to speak up, making it clear that Los Angeles is where he wants to be. 

This is a franchise I see myself being with. I'm here. I'm here. I see myself being with the purple and gold as long as I can play.

"I don't understand how some of my comments over the weekend was taken to a whole different area of... Could I see myself retiring as a Cavalier. I never said I see myself playing in a Cavaliers uniform." He clarified that he was thinking more along the lines of possibly signing a one-day contract and retiring as a Cav. 

He also walked back his statements on playing with his son:

"I also have a goal that, if it's possible -- I don't even know if it's possible -- that if I can play with my son, I would love to do that," said James, who's now 37 and in his 19th season. "Is that, like, something that any man shouldn't want that in life? That's like the coolest thing that could possibly happen. That doesn't mean I don't want to be with this franchise."

And as for his relationship with the Lakers' front office and GM Rob Pelinka, he said ""I don't push the buttons," James said. "They ask for my opinion, and I voice my opinion and what I believe. But I don't press any buttons. That's what our front office is for."

LeBron is eligible to sign a 2-year contract extension this summer worth $97M. He still has one year left on his current deal, and that extra 2 years would take him past the likely entry of his son Bronny into the NBA in 2024. 

A lot remains to be played out. And it starts this summer.