As the Los Angeles Lakers begin a summer of major decisions, LeBron James‘ loyalty has become a matter of increasing uncertainty. While he has not expressed any outward signs of wanting a trade, recent reports indicate that he may consider donning a different jersey if he feels that joining a new team gives him a better chance for playoff success.
“So, might James think about finishing his career elsewhere in pursuit of a fifth ring? When posed that question, both league sources close to James and team sources would not rule that possibility out,” wrote Sam Amick of The Athletic. “And that was before the revealing elimination game.”
LeBron, 40, has never forced his way out via trade, but he has left teams in free agency on several occasions. The first, and most infamous, of these moments came in 2010 when he joined the Miami Heat. Four years later, he announced his intentions to return to Cleveland and suit up for his hometown team again. It wasn’t until 2018 that LeBron signed with the Lakers, and it’s where he remains today.
With a $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season, James has total control of his future, and the entire NBA hierarchy hinges on his decision. He could retire, opt in for one more year with the Lakers, or opt out and become a free agent once again. We know that James will not take a pay cut this year, which puts all the pressure on the Lakers to offer him a maximum one-year deal.
After losing to the Timberwolves in 5 games, however, there is doubt that the Lakers will contend for the title next year, with the Timberwolves, Thunder, Mavericks, Rockets, and Nuggets all poised to compete for a top-six seed. Depending on where the Lakers fall into that picture, LeBron may decide to try his luck somewhere else on making one last championship run, but nobody is sure where he’ll end up.
With Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, the Warriors could be one destination for LeBron, but it remains to be seen if they could make it work financially. Another possibility is a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers. James is a hero in Cleveland, and it’d be poetic for him to end his career in the same place where it began. Best of all, the Cavaliers would be competitive after finishing with a 64-18 record this season.
Whether LeBron stays with the Lakers or signs somewhere else, he has nothing left to prove in the NBA. As a 4x MVP, 4x champion, and 21x All-Star, LeBron’s legacy is secured as one of the All-Time greats, but if he wants to catch the likes of Michael Jordan, he may need one more title to make his case.
The Lakers didn’t come close to the feat this year, and if they don’t show some improvement soon, LeBron may lose faith in them entirely as he approaches the end of his career. It’s an unlikely scenario, but one that the Lakers want to avoid at all costs to preserve their vision for the present and future.
