Rob Pelinka is leaving the door wide open for LeBron James to finish his career in purple and gold. In a recent statement, the Lakers GM expressed optimism about their ongoing partnership with the 4x NBA champion, making it clear the franchise will support LeBron no matter how long he chooses to continue playing.
“All the interactions with LeBron and his camp have been positive and supportive,” said Pelinka. “In terms of LeBron’s career, we have to respect his decision to see how long he wants to play. If he has a chance to retire a Laker, that would be great.”
LeBron James’ arrival in 2018 was the start of a new era for the Lakers, and it resulted in a championship amid several deep playoff runs. Over the past seven years, James has thrived in Los Angeles, averaging 26.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game on 51.3% shooting.
James was the star of the show until Luka Doncic arrived in February 2025, and now the entire Lakers hierarchy has changed. With a lucrative new contract extension worth $165 million, it’s fair to say that Doncic is the new face of the franchise, raising questions among skeptics about whether it might affect James’ long-term loyalty to the franchise.
As it stands, the 4x champion is currently sitting on an expiring contract, which will make him a free agent in the summer of 2026. At 40 years old, James could be entering his final NBA season, or simply gearing up for one last extended run. Either way, the timeline is entirely in his hands.
If he wants, he can stay with the Lakers and enhance his legacy as Luka Doncic’s primary co-star. If he’s able to win a title in the process, it would be the best case for James. Alternatively, LeBron could cut ties with the Lakers and go somewhere where he could maximize the time he has left in the NBA.
There’s also the Bryce James factor. He’s eligible for the draft in 2026, meaning LeBorn would have to play at least two more seasons to become teammates with his youngest son. In this scenario, LeBron might just follow Bryce wherever he gets drafted.
Lakers GM Opens Up On Offseason Moves
Now that the Lakers have Luka for the long term, they are doing everything in their power to ensure they surround him with an elite supporting cast. The work actually began long before Doncic’s extension, and Pelinka says they were very intentional about who they signed this summer.
“It’s the centerpiece of the foundation piece,” said Pelinka in a press conference. “I think in conversations with Luka, it was really important for us to get a rim, lob-catching center, and we feel like getting Deandre Ayton was huge. It’s gonna unlock so much in Luka’s game.”
The Lakers made some pretty significant upgrades with the signings of Ayton, Jake LaRavia, and Marcus Smart. They also picked up Adou Thiero in the draft. Even with these moves, however, Pelinka says the Lakers will never let their guard down.
“We like the upgrades we made to the roster, but by no means are we gonna be satisfied,” he added. “I think every year, we’re on an infinite cycle to try to improve this team to win championships, and we’ll stay committed to that work.”
Overall, it’s been a pretty good summer for Lakers fans. They got to watch Luka Doncic get in the best shape of his life before signing an extension that proves his loyalty. They also managed to keep LeBron James happy while adjusting and improving the roster with several big additions.
