Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James‘ future beyond the 2025-26 season remains unclear at the moment. James could stay with the Lakers, go elsewhere, or even walk away from the game after his contract expires in 2026.
NBA insider Shams Charania was asked what determines James’ future on NBA Today, and he shared Klutch Sports Group CEO Rich Paul’s message on the matter.
“I did speak to his agent, Rich Paul, at Klutch Sports today,” Charania said. “And he told me, ‘It’s important not to worry about the future when it comes to LeBron James. Just appreciate the present and also maximizing his present.’ And that onus potentially falling on the Lakers and what team they put around him.
“But it’s obvious, how does he feel about the Lakers going into the season?” Charania stated. “As the year continues on can they be a contender moving forward? And I think the other thing that also sits here as well is Bryce James is going to start his freshman year at college. How does he look? How does he look as a prospect? How does he play into the 2026 NBA Draft?”
Paul wants everyone to appreciate the present and not worry too much about the future. The end of James’ storied career is near, and we should enjoy watching him operate on the court.
That said, Paul would also like to see the Lakers maximize James’ present by putting the best team possible around him. He doesn’t seem to want them to keep an eye on the future either.
How this Lakers team fares next season could well decide what James, who averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game in 2024-25, does. They were the third seed in the West last season with a 50-32 record, but lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs.
James then decided to opt into his $52.6 million player option for 2025-26 this offseason, but Paul sent out an interesting message after that. He made it clear his client wanted to win and that they would evaluate what was in his best interests. It was later stated that this wasn’t an ultimatum and that Paul was urging the Lakers to cherish James’ final years.
At the end of the day, what’s clear among all this is that James is still desperate to win his fifth championship. The 40-year-old is going to look at what the front office can do to help him achieve that goal.
The Lakers have brought in Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia in free agency. While those are some solid additions, this still isn’t a team that is regarded as one of the favorites to win it all in 2026. Another trade or two is needed, and we’ll see what the Lakers do between now and next year’s trade deadline in February.
One factor that’s outside the Lakers’ control is James’ son, Bryce James. The 18-year-old will soon begin his freshman season at Arizona, and his development will impact his father’s future.
James is already playing alongside his eldest son, Bronny James, whom the Lakers selected with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Playing alongside both of them would understandably mean a lot to the 21-time All-Star.
