LeBron James’ hat golfing sparks speculation of big Lakers trade to one team

The Los Angeles superstar was seen getting his offseason golf on, but while his swing was going viral, so was his hat.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) controls the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) controls the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

LeBron James was back in Ohio getting his golf on July 4th, but while his swing was getting a lot of attention on social media, his hat did as well.

The 40-year-old Los Angeles Lakers superstar will be going into his 23rd season of his storied car. He raised a lot of eyebrows though and angered Lakers fans when he exercised his $52.6 million player option to remain with in Los Angeles for the 2025-26 season because it didn’t leave as much room to build onto the roster (although they got DeAndre Ayton).

RELATED: LeBron James debuts baller signature watch in Lakers colors with only 150 made

LeBron and Luk
LeBron and Luka didn’t have enough this season. | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

The Lakers still have Luka Doncic after a stunning midseason trade with the Dallas Mavericks teamed him up with James, but the two didn’t make it out of the first round. While Doncic is spending his summer looking like a new man super skinny, LeBron was seen out on the golf course where he crushed a golf ball.

While that went viral, a selfie of him with the hat “Welcome Home” that he wore on the course also raised speculation he may not be happy in Los Angeles.

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He was also seen at a Cleveland Cavaliers practice.

There’s no indication LeBron wants to leave LA. He’s almost ready to retire and he’s rebuilding his $30M mansion there. His son Bronny is on the Lakers as well. He even said on X referring to Cleveland, “I live here still and train every summer.”

But, there’s always a “what if” with him as seen by the famous Miami Heat decision on July 8 of 2010, and then the decision to return to Cleveland on July 11 2014, and then on July 9, 2018, when he left for the Lakers.

You never know. Look what a hat can do to the internet: Cavs fans can hope.

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Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

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Matt Ryan
MATT RYAN

Matt Ryan is a dedicated sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in digital and linear media. After receiving a Masters in Journalism from USC, he’s worked for Fox Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo Sports, USA Today Sports Media Group, and Bally Sports, while holding various leadership roles along the way.