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LeBron James is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers

Golden State? Cleveland? The NBA's all-time leading scorer is taking his talents elsewhere.

Sports

LeBron James is moving on from the Los Angeles Lakers, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per ESPN&#x27;s Shams Charania" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2071988062259736871?s=20" data-vars-content-id="77a00bdd-e266-4a96-8d13-9ef9a3c5e598" data-vars-headline="LeBron James is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2071988062259736871?s=20" target="_blank">per ESPN&#x27;s Shams Charania</a>, setting up a potential reunion with Cleveland or a chance to join former rival Steph Curry with the Golden State Warriors.Why it matters: The 41-year-old James is the NBA&#x27;s all-time leading scorer and one of the offseason&#x27;s most important dominoes.

Northeast Ohio Fourth of July fireworks: Where to watch in Cleveland and beyond

Dates and times for celebrations at Blossom Music Center, Progressive Field and more.

Things to Do

It&#x27;s set to be one of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hottest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/29/dangerous-heat-wave-northeast-ohio" data-vars-content-id="92f43a73-19fe-475d-a688-20549f282f9e" data-vars-headline="Northeast Ohio Fourth of July fireworks: Where to watch in Cleveland and beyond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/29/dangerous-heat-wave-northeast-ohio" target="_self">hottest</a> Fourth of July weekends in recent history, but that can&#x27;t stop the fireworks (🤞 we hope).State of play: Downtown Cleveland will celebrate America&#x27;s 250th anniversary with the annual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Light Up the Lake&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.downtowncleveland.com/events?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D204482935" data-vars-content-id="92f43a73-19fe-475d-a688-20549f282f9e" data-vars-headline="Northeast Ohio Fourth of July fireworks: Where to watch in Cleveland and beyond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.downtowncleveland.com/events?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D204482935" target="_blank">&quot;Light Up the Lake&quot;</a> celebration at Voinovich Park.

Boxing star Abdullah Mason headlines all-Ohio world title fight

Albert Bell replaces Welsh fighter and former IBF super-featherweight champion Joe Cordina.

A pair of Ohio natives will look to create their own fireworks inside a boxing ring at the Wolstein Center on Saturday.State of play: Bedford native <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Abdullah Mason" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/06/boxing-abdullah-mason-title-fight-july-4" data-vars-content-id="ede0a381-e726-41f3-a5d2-15569be8cd05" data-vars-headline="Boxing star Abdullah Mason headlines all-Ohio world title fight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/06/boxing-abdullah-mason-title-fight-july-4" target="_self">Abdullah Mason</a> will defend his WBO lightweight title against Toledo native Albert Bell.

A notorious toxic site in Collinwood is coming down

Demolition has begun at the long-abandoned Advanced Medical Systems property.

News

Crews began demolishing on Monday the former Advanced Medical Systems site on London Road in Collinwood. Why it matters: The facility once manufactured and serviced medical radiation equipment containing Cobalt-60 and has been both an eyesore and an environmental hazard <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="since the 1980s" data-vars-click-url="https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/30/133/471508/?__cf_chl_f_tk=mO8juwiZNZWxvkqJL9fbSacdg8Lwl74vvjK67NHI5as-1782750139-1.0.1.1-P4yvtu.r5Cu5POcUQewtEapvyfmzn8uRkPjlCOal16c" data-vars-content-id="6f388ae3-24d1-448f-a92a-ae455441da04" data-vars-headline="A notorious toxic site in Collinwood is coming down" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/30/133/471508/?__cf_chl_f_tk=mO8juwiZNZWxvkqJL9fbSacdg8Lwl74vvjK67NHI5as-1782750139-1.0.1.1-P4yvtu.r5Cu5POcUQewtEapvyfmzn8uRkPjlCOal16c" target="_blank">since the 1980s</a>.

Meet the newest Cavalier: Meleek Thomas

The 6-foot-3 Pittsburgh native was one of college basketball's purest shooters.

The newest Cleveland Cavalier is regarded as one of the 2026 NBA Draft&#x27;s best raw shooters.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cleveland" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/26/cavs-knicks-sweep-offseason-questions" data-vars-content-id="2a40ba83-34f8-4a03-a75b-7148f9f57774" data-vars-headline="Meet the newest Cavalier: Meleek Thomas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/26/cavs-knicks-sweep-offseason-questions" target="_self">Cleveland</a> selected 19-year-old guard Meleek Thomas with the No. 34 pick, but likely views him as a long-term developmental project rather than an immediate contributor.

Remembering the Cavs' historic 2016 NBA Championship

The 2016 NBA title victory was Cleveland's first major team-sport title in 52 years.

Friday marks the 10th anniversary of perhaps the greatest moment in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cleveland sports history" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/06/09/cleveland-sports-moments-21st-century" data-vars-content-id="c99b499a-7515-4aa0-9030-f7033f30a551" data-vars-headline="Remembering the Cavs&#x27; historic 2016 NBA Championship" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/06/09/cleveland-sports-moments-21st-century" target="_self">Cleveland sports history</a>.Why it matters: The Cavaliers&#x27; 2016 NBA Championship was the city&#x27;s first major team-sport title since the Browns won the NFL Championship in 1964.

Cleveland's Jonathan Mannion captures Knicks fandom

Mannion shot images of notable New Yorkers for Nike's "Always Knicks" campaign.

The Cavs may not have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="advanced" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/26/cavs-knicks-sweep-offseason-questions" data-vars-content-id="b585e757-ed73-4f01-8162-1c9b4987096b" data-vars-headline="Cleveland&#x27;s Jonathan Mannion captures Knicks fandom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/05/26/cavs-knicks-sweep-offseason-questions" target="_self">advanced</a>, but this year&#x27;s NBA Finals still have a touch of Cleveland.State of play: In honor of the New York Knicks&#x27; first finals in 27 years, Nike launched the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Always Knicks Campaign.&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DZV8u6ilRN5/" data-vars-content-id="b585e757-ed73-4f01-8162-1c9b4987096b" data-vars-headline="Cleveland&#x27;s Jonathan Mannion captures Knicks fandom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DZV8u6ilRN5/" target="_blank">&quot;Always Knicks Campaign.&quot;</a>

Myles Garrett says trade to Rams was "about winning"

Garrett said he found out about the trade a week ago and waived his contract's no-trade clause.

<blockquote>&quot;Since the very beginning, it&#x27;s always been about winning.&quot;</blockquote><cite>— Myles Garrett during his introduction with the Los Angeles Rams.</cite>Myles Garrett made his debut with the Rams on Tuesday, confirming the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="blockbuster trade" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/01/myles-garrett-trade-browns-los-angeles-rams" data-vars-content-id="db155082-7d2c-42e6-b451-1bc96403b2be" data-vars-headline="Myles Garrett says trade to Rams was &quot;about winning&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/01/myles-garrett-trade-browns-los-angeles-rams" target="_self">blockbuster trade</a> that brought him there was all about winning.What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;To be a winner now, to have an opportunity to do that immediately, that was ultimately too difficult to pass up,&quot; Garrett said during an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="introductory press conference" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh5GX9m1DR0" data-vars-content-id="db155082-7d2c-42e6-b451-1bc96403b2be" data-vars-headline="Myles Garrett says trade to Rams was &quot;about winning&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh5GX9m1DR0" target="_blank">introductory press conference</a>.

Pickleball growth slows nationally, but surges in Northeast Ohio

The number of pickleball courts in Cleveland has nearly doubled from 2025 to 2026.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pickleball craze" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/04/walmart-free-pickleball-game-subway-sub" data-vars-content-id="2c83ebe3-68d8-4c56-a986-0f75abcbc70e" data-vars-headline="Pickleball growth slows nationally, but surges in Northeast Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/04/walmart-free-pickleball-game-subway-sub" target="_self">pickleball craze</a> may be cooling off nationwide, but it&#x27;s still heating up in Northeast Ohio.Why it matters: The rise of pickleball as one of America&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fastest-growing sports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jefffromm/2026/02/12/how-pickleball-became-americas-fastest-growing-sport-even-among-gen-z/" data-vars-content-id="2c83ebe3-68d8-4c56-a986-0f75abcbc70e" data-vars-headline="Pickleball growth slows nationally, but surges in Northeast Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jefffromm/2026/02/12/how-pickleball-became-americas-fastest-growing-sport-even-among-gen-z/" target="_blank">fastest-growing sports</a> over the past several years has spread in the region with an increase in courts and events.

Cleveland expert wants Congress to tackle stadium subsidies

Ken Silliman argues billion-dollar demands from pro sports owners have become a national problem.

Federal intervention is needed to curb the trend of sports team owners demanding public subsidies in excess of $1 billion for new stadiums, says local expert <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ken Silliman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/11/07/ken-silliman-browns-deal-prediction" data-vars-content-id="b20c1fbe-86d8-429d-9148-dd2782bc37cc" data-vars-headline="Cleveland expert wants Congress to tackle stadium subsidies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/11/07/ken-silliman-browns-deal-prediction" target="_self">Ken Silliman</a>. Why it matters: Cash-strapped cities like Cleveland, with fewer resources for essential services, are effectively being held hostage by pro teams, who have used the threat of relocation to extract eye-popping sums, he writes.

Why trading Myles Garrett was the right move for the Browns

Myles Garrett is headed to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for Jared Verse and multiple draft picks.

The Browns shocked the NFL world Monday by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="trading" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-network-browns-trading-myles-garrett-to-rams-jared-verse" data-vars-content-id="4075b29f-4edd-4387-9d23-94251d101d82" data-vars-headline="Why trading Myles Garrett was the right move for the Browns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-network-browns-trading-myles-garrett-to-rams-jared-verse" target="_blank">trading</a> the team&#x27;s best player.Driving the news: Cleveland is sending Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for defensive end Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round draft pick, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2029 third-round pick.

No pink slip for Cavs' Kenny Atkinson, but questions remain

Atkinson led Cleveland to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2018.

Oh my God, they didn&#x27;t kill Kenny!Why it matters: ESPN&#x27;s Shams Charania <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48883421/sources-kenny-atkinson-return-cavaliers-head-coach/" data-vars-content-id="6b370317-41b6-45de-bdfe-bdd9176ed706" data-vars-headline="No pink slip for Cavs&#x27; Kenny Atkinson, but questions remain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48883421/sources-kenny-atkinson-return-cavaliers-head-coach/" target="_blank">reports</a> that Kenny Atkinson will return as Cavs head coach next season — perhaps surprising news considering how awful the team&#x27;s season ended.

Sports 🏅

Boxing star Abdullah Mason headlines all-Ohio world title fight

LeBron James is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers

Meet the newest Cavalier: Meleek Thomas

Remembering the Cavs' historic 2016 NBA Championship

World Cup watch parties are easy to find across Northeast Ohio