LeBron James is moving on from the Los Angeles Lakers, per ESPN's Shams Charania, setting up wildly divergent outcomes for Cleveland fans.

The choices: He either returns home for a jubilant farewell tour and one last shot at a championship, or he joins Steph Curry on the Golden State Warriors.

Why it matters: The 41-year-old James is a Cleveland icon. He is also the NBA's all-time leading scorer and one of the offseason's most important dominoes.

• His stint with the Lakers, during which he won the NBA championship in 2020, is the longest in his historic career.

State of play: The financial maneuvering required for the Cavs to sign him is complicated, and likely involves shedding the salaries of Max Strus and Dennis Schröder in trades.

• But the Cavs are reportedly in pursuit, and James Harden is waiting to sign a contract extension in order to give the team flexibility.

The latest: The NBA's free agency period officially began at 6pm last night, and LeBron was scheduled to meet with multiple suitors as he makes up his mind.

The intrigue: James recently went on a European trip with members of the 2016 Championship team to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Cleveland's title.

• And he has been in Akron this week, posting photos from local golf courses and gyms — wearing a St. Vincent St. Mary T-shirt, no less — possible evidence of an impending reunion.

💭 Sam's thought bubble: Despite smoke coming from Golden State, I think LeBron is too attuned to his own perceived legacy to team up with his former rivals.

• As a diehard Cavs fan, watching him finish his career in a Warriors uniform alongside Curry and Draymond Green would be tough to stomach.

The bottom line: This well may be the final season of LeBron's career. His priority at this juncture, per ESPN's Brian Windhorst, is "happiness and not money."

It's set to be one of the hottest Fourth of July weekends in recent history, but that can't stop the fireworks (🤞 we hope).

State of play: Downtown Cleveland will celebrate America's 250th anniversary with the annual "Light Up the Lake" celebration at Voinovich Park.

• The free event starts at 5pm with fireworks set for around 10pm.

The Guardians will set off fireworks after their Friday and Saturday night games against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field.

• Blossom Music Center hosts an "America at 250" celebration on Friday, followed by the annual "Salute to America" concert on Saturday, with fireworks after both ticketed events.

Fireworks locations and times for other Northeast Ohio cities are below:

Thursday

Elyria

• 10:15pm at West Park

Friday

Avon Lake

• 10pm at Weiss Field

Brunswick

• 9pm at Brunswick High School

Chardon

• 10pm at Chardon High School

Hudson

• 9:45pm at Barlow Farm Park

Kent

• Dusk, downtown (Erie and Main streets area)

Medina

• 10pm at Medina Recreation Center

North Ridgeville

• 9:30pm at Victory Park

Wadsworth

• 10pm, downtown

Saturday and Sunday times

🧱 A factory in Cleveland's Central neighborhood that once assembled the Hulett unloaders is being repurposed as a modular home construction facility.

• The company MMY US will bring 150 jobs to the 183,000 square-foot building as the first major project on The Midline. (Cleveland.com)

🍻 Great Lakes Brewing Company co-CEO Steven Pauwels has resigned and returned to Belgium with his wife. (Crain's Cleveland Business 🔐)

🍬 The B.A. Sweetie Candy Company on Brook Park Road has been restructured under an employee stock ownership plan, meaning about 50 of its 70 workers have partial ownership. (Cleveland Scene)

🎭 Local actor Jovani Ibrahim has been accepted at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Only 28 students were accepted out of more than 4,500 who auditioned from around the world. (WKYC)

👋 Sam here. The best thing I did this week was visit Oxbow Farm and Market in Valley View for its "Final Fridays" event.

State of play: Located on the northern tip of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the farm hosts this recurring summer gathering with live music and local food on the last Friday of each month.

• I got to stroll the grounds, interact with the livestock — including a lovable Great Pyrenees guard dog — and sip on a couple of BYOB beverages while visiting with pals.

👍 The result: An A+ summer evening.

What's next: July's event will be flower themed. You can learn about dyeing plants, make a flower crown, buy a bouquet and take home a marigold tie-dye handkerchief from Heads Up Flowers.

• Live music will be provided by Horses 4k, 12 O' Clock Tribe, and DJ Nightgoose.

Stop by: 6765 Canal Road, Valley View.

• The next is 6-10pm July 31, $10 for adults, $5 for kids.

America's food loyalties run deep — right down to the chips at your Independence Day BBQ.

State of play: New Instacart data shows the most uniquely popular potato chip brands by state, based on last year's July Fourth orders.

What we found: Ohio falls in line with 15 other states who love Lay's chips.

• Elsewhere, Utz over-indexes across the Mid-Atlantic, Cape Cod is big in New England and Kettle Brand pops in the Pacific Northwest.

How it works: Instacart analyzed orders placed on the platform from June 30 to July 6, 2025, to find which potato chip brands stood out most in each state compared with their national share.

The bottom line: Consider this your reminder to hit the chip aisle before the long weekend.