How and where will the NBA’s all-time leading scorer end his career? Yaron Weitzman explores that topic in a story for Bleacher Report, writing that most people around the league expect LeBron James to eventually retire with the Lakers.
If James does leave Los Angeles, the Cavaliers are viewed by agents and executives as the “only team LeBron would seriously consider joining,” Weitzman writes.
“If he wants to do a farewell tour like Kobe (Bryant) did, it’s the only other team that makes sense,” a league executive told Weitzman. “LeBron cares about narratives. He doesn’t want to be like Michael Jordan on the Wizards.”
Still, James potentially joining the Cavs is highly unlikely during the upcoming season for several reasons, Weitzman notes. If LeBron decides to return to Cleveland, it would likely occur in 2026 free agency, and would require the 40-year-old to take a major pay cut.
For his part, Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka continues to insist the team wants LeBron around as long as he wants to be in L.A., per Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
“We would love if LeBron’s story would be he retired a Laker,” Pelinka said about the possibility of re-signing James next summer. “That would be a positive story.”
Here’s more on the Lakers:
- According to McMenamin, Pelinka explained why the team decided to extend the contract of head coach J.J. Redick after just one season at the helm. “We think he’s a special coach with a special voice that’s really helping us define the culture of Lakers excellence,” Pelinka said. “We just wanted to make a clear statement that this is what we believe in, what we’re going to lean into and what our players are going to mold into as we continue to develop the identity. I think having long-term planning is helpful as we build this team and go forward.” Redick said he was grateful for the Lakers’ support, McMenamin adds.
- Redick also touched on his offseason conversations with James and Luka Doncic, expressing confidence in both of the team’s stars, as McMenamin writes. “[James is] in a great spot mentally and know he’s going to give us his absolute best,” Redick said. “… I expect the best version of Luka, and it’s my job as a coach to bring that out on a daily basis.”
- Doncic told Dan Woike of The Athletic he feels “way more comfortable” being a Laker now compared to when he was first traded to Los Angeles in February and is looking forward to the season. The Slovenian guard said he made progress becoming a more vocal leader during EuroBasket 2025. “(Being a leader), sometimes it’s comfortable, sometimes not,” Doncic said. “Sometimes it’s great to be a leader and sometimes you have to say things that you don’t want to, but that’s part of being a leader.”
- Evidently Doncic isn’t the only Laker who worked hard at getting in better physical shape this offseason, as Redick said Austin Reaves has improved his “burst” and “athleticism,” tweets Law Murray of The Athletic. Redick added that Reaves has been the best player in the gym when he has participated in informal activities.
- Lakers alternate governor Joey Buss and his brother, assistant GM Jesse Buss, are launching an investment firm called Buss Sports Capital, McMenamin and Shams Charania report for ESPN. “Our vision is to really go after strategic investments and good partners — specifically sports-related investments,” Joey Buss told ESPN. “Buss Sports Capital is not going to compete with our interests in the Lakers or the NBA. This is our first step towards where the future of sports is going to lead us. It is exciting to see what growth opportunities exist — particularly opportunities that we can add value to, given our skill sets.” Both Joey and Jesse are expected to remain with the Lakers following the sale of the team to Mark Walter.
- Athlon Sports contributor Mark Medina shares five takeaways from Thursday’s joint press conference with Pelinka and Redick.
Nobody knows where LeBron will be playing next year not even Lebron knows where he wants to play next year. Just let the season play out and see where he ends up playing.
I’d like to hear from @CapnCrunch on this one. Do Lakers resign LeBron after this season?
Hell no. Jebron has been a liability since he got here. He plays no D and the whole teams stops covering for his no effort ass.
I don’t think its option A but I also don’t think their true option A of finding another superstar to pair with Luka is very viable as well this year
They have 1 first to trade all year this year but 3 at the draft next summer
My instinct is they let the year dictate how next summer goes and if it goes south for whatever reason by New Years LBJ is some nice homeowner’s insurance if he wants to move via trade (for first time ever) to net a 1st.
I do believe Lakers front office has an eye on summer 27 so if alls amicable this year I can see another run back year next year as well w LBJ/LAL
In other words we live in LeBron’s mood ring for a little bit longer most likely if the wins keep coming. Next years free agent class there’s little to chase north of the MLE. I do think Lakers would like to cut ties but circumstances might just lead them into another year of marriage
Thx
My personal thoughts
Id like to NOT see him start the 2026/27 season on the roster opening night even if it means a small step back for that year
Onward ho
*Okc and always with Lukas approval of that vision
The eternal “unfair advantage” for the Lakers: the only team in the league guaranteed to fill empty cap space with free agents. See Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart
If LeBron is cut loose, I fully expect $60M of talent to drop from the sky. Nauseating.
If LBJ leg the $60 mil wouldn’t magically be available for repurposing. They would still be over the cap. Other things have to be done. But stop acting like there’s some greasy conspiracy. Ayton was an outcast that any team could’ve gotten. The Lakets have been a failure when it comes to attracting FA. LBJ ended up in LA bendigo he wanted to be there. He chose the Lakers, not the other way around. He didn’t even bother to entertain calls, meetings, or offers from any other team. He wanted to be near Bronny, who was passing high school in LA. Lakers fans need to remember the years when FA after GA didn’t even bother to meet with them.
What are you talking about the Lakers are moving on after this season. The only reason he is a Lakers is because of his no trade clause, And actually no team really wants to trade for LeBron. These are facts, player are talking about this. Nobody wants to be a part of LeBron’s farewell tour, especially if the team fighting for a postseason.
Also, what team is giving up a first round pick for LeBron? Name one team. Gs has no cap room And Curry has no desire to play with LeBron. Why would Cleveland bring in LeBron when he can’t put them over the top?. They basically would ruin their whole young core by turning the team over to LeBron because he’s incapable of playing second fiddle. That’s why the Lakers want to get rid of him. He literally can’t even play second fiddle Luka.
His farewell tour was this year. Tell me what team out of Cleveland makes any sense and Cleveland would not add him to the team because what position is he going to play? Mobley is starting at the four so LeBron would have to play the three and LeBron is no longer a three in the NBA. He can’t guard any small forwards.
I do not understand extending Redick right now when he had like 3 more years left on the current deals. Lakers front office strikes again
Saying Lebron cares about narrative is hilarious, jumping from team to team cemented his narrative
And another shot @ MJ.It never ends. Only part of LeBron I’ll miss is laughing at his defense while blaming others. And, the excuse making while his media goons try controlling narratives while constantly moving the goalposts.
Literally played on one more team than Jordan. You know how many other hall of famers have played on 3 or more teams. But you only cry about one.
Jordan played for 1 team only the bulls.
His wizard years were never about winning a championship. Jordan literally played for ownership and then got blind signed in when they didn’t sell him the team or part of the ownership steak. His second best player was Jerry stackhouse the first year and the second year was a young rip Hamilton.
Lebron on the Lakers has had Anthony Davis which would have been the equivalent of Jordan getting Jermaine O’Neal. And now he has Luka a guy who went to an NBA finals the year before, so if you’re talking 2002 we’re talking. If Jordan would have got AI because he went to the finals in 2001 that would have been the equivalent.
If you don’t think Jordan on the Washington wizards with Jermaine O’Neal or Allen Iverson in 2002 would have made it to the playoffs. You got to be out your mind. They barely miss it the year before when he hurt his knee they were like two or three games away from the eight seed. It probably would have been the second or the third seed had he had one of the two of those players.
Contacts is everything’s the gap between Jordan and LeBron is wide. LeBron is not even top 3 he hopped for team to team. And technically if we count Cleveland he’s played on four teams because the Cleveland team that he went back to had Kyrie Irving and then they had the first overall pick and traded it for Kevin. Love another top 10 player in the NBA. We’re not even going to talk about the Miami stint because that just clears him out of the top three. Especially losing the Dirk with three top 12 players in the NBA on one team in their Prime.
I wish I could shake your hand, Buying buckets. Bringing these Brawny Sensation fans back down to earth is a never-ending task. Let’s wait and see about the juicing allegations – but for now, setting all biases aside, Brawny IS a top 10 player; it’s debatable if he is top 5. Fingers crossed he and Luka clash this season – it’s Luka’s team now.Ride those coattails as long as Laker ownership allows you to, Brawny.
I agree Redick is a avg Coach. And we really don’t even know if he’s average because he got a top five player in the NBA on his team and still lost in the first round. I can’t believe people on this board think he’s a better coached in darvin ham. People fall in love with personalities. They only did this to make it seem like this wasn’t LeBron’s pic of a coach when it’s exactly that.
Everybody talks about his X’s and O’s but he didn’t translate into anything. A first round exit to a team that was bearable.