LeBron James may still be producing at an elite level, but the Los Angeles Lakers are already looking ahead. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the franchise is expected to let James’ contract run its course after the 2025–26 season. While LeBron’s presence has defined the Lakers’ identity over the past several years, this could mark a turning point as the team pivots toward a long-term plan without him.
“He knows, deep down, the threat of him leaving Lakerland next summer is no threat at all now,” wrote Stein. “It was a worry for every team he played for through the first 22 seasons of his career, but the Lakers’ widely presumed preferred scenario for their future is letting James’ contract drop off their books after the 2025-26 season.”
For the first time in his career, LeBron James is playing on an expiring contract, and it’s no accident. At 40 years old, he’s set to earn $52.6 million next season with a no-trade clause that gives him full veto power. That’s not to mention the growing tension with the front office, fueled by the franchise’s increasing allegiance to Luka Doncic.
On the outside, all the signs are pointing to a breakup between LeBron and the Lakers, but it may not happen like everyone thought. Assuming LeBron doesn’t retire next summer, he may have no choice but to spend his twilight years somewhere else. Rather than moving James via trade or making nice with the NBA legend, the Lakers prefer to just wait it out for one year and let James come off the books completely.
This way, they can keep LeBron while he’s still playing at an elite level and let him go next summer to free up cap space for the future and bring in another (much younger) star. Or, if LeBron doesn’t see any better alternatives, the Lakers may be able to sign him at a discount to help him make one last championship push.
In the end, however, it feels as though LeBron’s time in Los Angeles is quietly winding down. Despite his status as a 4x champion and 4x MVP, his value is on the decline, and it’s only going to get worse as he gets older.
Meanwhile, the Lakers have already moved on to a different superstar (by the name of Luka Doncic) and their timeline has shifted completely—along with their priorities. As they begin to settle into their new reality, the Lakers will be looking to flush away the old and forge a brand new identity that can bring them a fresh start.
Whether it ends with a farewell tour, a discounted re-signing, or a quiet offseason exit, all signs suggest this upcoming campaign could be LeBron’s last in purple and gold. The Lakers, once entirely shaped around James’ orbit, are now charting a course with Luka Doncic at the center. It’s not just a passing of the torch; it’s the dawn of a new era in Los Angeles.
