LeBron James has yet to make any decisions about his future beyond this season, league and team sources tell Dan Woike and Sam Amick of The Athletic.
According to Woike and Amick, a number of options remain in play for the Laker star, including the possibility of retiring this summer. The idea that James wouldn’t call it a career without embarking on a season-long farewell tour isn’t accurate, sources tell Woike and Amick, who say that several of those sources have heard as much from LeBron himself.
Still, after having his season debut delayed due to a bout with sciatica, the 41-year-old has continued to play at a high level in his 23rd NBA season, averaging 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds in 33.2 minutes per game while shooting 51.5% from the floor. There are no indications that his production is about to fall off a cliff, so it’s safe to assume that if he wants to keep playing, many teams will be interested in employing him.
That list starts with the Lakers, despite the fact that the club didn’t offer James a multiyear deal before he decided to exercise his player option last June. There had been speculation since that opt-in decision that this would be LeBron’s last year with the team, but Los Angeles’ hot streak during the second half of the season may have changed the equation, per Woike and Amick.
Before Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves went down with injuries at the start of April, the Lakers closed out March by winning 13 of 14 games, with their only loss during that stretch coming in Detroit in a tight 113-110 contest. One executive told The Athletic that the Lakers’ performance during that time was “real,” and James agreed. Another league source told Woike and Amick that the team’s high-level play made LeBron more inclined to believe the Lakers are capable of contending for another title, assuming they’re healthy and they perhaps make another roster upgrade or two this summer.
The organization has long expressed a desire to have James retire as a Laker, and team and league sources tell The Athletic that the idea of re-signing the four-time MVP to a new contract this offseason remains very much in play from the club’s perspective. But the Lakers figure to have competition.
The Cavaliers and Warriors have frequently been cited as potential suitors for James if he decides to leave Los Angeles, and both clubs remain “plausible” landing spots for the star forward, according to Woike and Amick, who describe Golden State’s interest as “serious.” However, neither team is currently positioned to offer LeBron more than mid-level money, and it’s unclear if the Lakers would be willing to facilitate a sign-and-trade, so James may have to be willing to play at a discount if he wants to join either team.
Family considerations will also be a significant factor in James’ decision, with one executive from a possible suitor acknowledging that the veteran’s reluctance to leave Los Angeles is something that other teams are well aware of. Given that context, it’s possible that the Clippers could enter the conversation, league sources tell The Athletic.
While James has a history with Tyronn Lue and would be able to remain in L.A. in that scenario, it’s viewed as a longer shot, Woike and Amick admit. The sense among The Athletic’s sources is that if James were to change teams, he would only join a team that he believes would be a legitimate championship threat. It’s unclear if the Clippers, who were eliminated in the play-in tournament this week, would fit that bill after trading away James Harden and Ivica Zubac in February.
Here we go clutch sports. Lakers don’t want LeBron anymore
More like here we go with a summer filled with where is LeBron going off season. You know the media will milk this all off season until he signs. Every media site will post he si going to this team for clicks.
More like, here we go Lebron haters….😆😆
What does “Klutch” Sports have to do with this article? And it’s equally crazy to act like the team that saw is franchise value rise from $3 billion to $10 billion in under a decade would want to toss away a guy like LBJ. I’ll never understand the hate for a guy that has done so much for so many franchises.
You love being my little dingle barry don’t you. Follow all my comments with un educated takes. Still want to know how Mosley should keep his job after being the 8th seed? Still want to know how the Lakers are contenders? Still want to know how Portland is getting Giannis. Hmm more of your takes. How are the Lakers keep LeBron when they have openly said they don’t want him?, how is it clutch sports. Hmmaybe when Rich Paul has a podcast suggesting trade AR? Blaming everyone but LeBron making 54 million when he is not an all NBA player. How is it clutch sports bronny James can’t play for one other team but Lakers in the NBA. How is it clutch sports we know your not retiring yet every year they do this dance I’m im incoming back or not. We know LeBron wants a Fair well tour let’s stop the cap. How is it clutch Sports Reddick is the Coach when no other team is asking for him.
Bro stop man I have 4 little brothers. And 3 kids I don’t need another 1.
It amazes me how “nobodys” think they’re important enough to think ppl care enough to “follow” them. I have no idea who you are or if I even ever replied to one of your comments prior to this one. I asked a valid question. “What does this article have to do with Klutch Sports” when you make the statement “Here we go clutch sports”? This article doesn’t mention Klutch. It doesn’t repost a quote from Klutch’s Rich Paul. It doesn’t even have a quote from LBJ. Some writer writes an entire article about “what will LBJ do next year” and you proceed to attribute it to play that have repeatedly said “they haven’t decided yet” and you do so with angst like they ruffled your feathers. It’s a perfect example of how the media creates these narratives that, for some reason, strike a nerve with ppl. If the Lakers didn’t want LBJ then why would they give him a contract with a no-trade clause? And if they don’t want to bring him back, then do be it. But please tell me what article you found where the Lakers “openly said they don’t want him back”? The other bull you speak of, I’m not sure but what the heck are you babbling about “how Portland is going to get Giannis next season”? Whoever suggested that? I’m sure Dame enjoyed the pairing sooooo much that he’s being out to happen again. Dude get over yourself. Your not that guy and no one cares enough to follow you around a chat board. I’ve already forgotten your name. Who are you sir? Do I know you?
You know exactly who I am when you’re responding to me, so therefore there’s no point of answering any stuff. You’ve literally responded to comments and brought up comments from 6 months ago so you know exactly who I am. I just struck a nerve and now you’re trying to save face.
Just because it doesn’t mention clutch sports doesn’t mean there’s a propaganda piece being pushed out about LeBron. LeBron for all his talents and his career is a top 10 NBA player of all time. He’s not number one in my book. He’s not number two or three or four and there’s plenty of people that agree with the same segment. Instead of leaning into that, one of the 10 best players of all time. Him and club sports continue to use propaganda by downing other players. It’s facts Richard Jefferson is represented by clutch sports. Draymond Green is represented by clutch sports. Any person who’s involved with clutch sports has to tear down either MJ, Kobe or other stars to make it seem like LeBron is the best player of all time. That in turn is where people lose respect for. They’re teaming up with multiple all NBA players year after year after the year, especially when you’re in your Prime. But getting your son drafted when he pretty much wasn’t even a top 200 college player in the NCAA and then it’s not even really about him. Getting in drafted is about all the extra narratives that they pushed out like this team is going to draft them and things like that. It’s the same thing Giannis is going through right now with the whole I want to stay and I don’t and having your brothers on the team and all the rest of that it’s killing your own perception of your own self. And apparently you do think I’m that guy because you follow me around. If you want to see all the articles, there’s plenty of articles and it’s not articles cuz anybody can write an article. Genie bus has basically having a fallout. They pretty much ask them if you want to go in back in the summer to opt out of his contract and he didn’t. I don’t need to do the research or point them to you. Go do it yourself. Anybody and their mother knows the Lakers in LeBron are headed for a break up this season. It is no longer his team. They don’t want clutch sports it’s happening. So If you want to go back to my original comment, it was more about LeBron saying he doesn’t know if he’s playing another year or not. We know you’re playing another year. It just won’t be with the Los Angeles Lakers
As I said you’re one of my dingleberries. You comment anytime I do just to disagree because you feel self conscious about yourself and basketball knowledge. It’s okay that you’ve probably never played ball, but don’t run around acting like you know everything when you obviously have anything study the game. It’s okay to be a LeBron fan. Dame I’m a LeBron fan. Loved how he played last night. Difference I’ll call a spade a spade and not make excuses for players or coaches. Same way I played when I was playing and why I was successful and successful people Don’t make excuses or try to tear others down to build themselves up.
“it’s unclear if the Lakers would be willing to facilitate a sign-and-trade, so James may have to be willing to play at a discount if he wants to join either team.”
If LeBron really wants to trade I would be very surprised that the Lakers wouldn’t be able to work out something like the Cavs did for one of the best players ever.
It might be better for teh lakers to let him be a free agent because it doesn’t benefit them to take on a bad contract just to make Lebron happy. There is a lot they can do with all that cap space of him leaving.
I definitely think they’d be more inclined to do it for the Cavs than the Warriors. But Cleveland has more salary commitments already, so it might be trickier for them to do a sign-and-trade at all.
I don’t see him doing a MLE and the warriors have no way for him to fit under the cap unless they trade Butler but why would the Lakers want Butler knowing he is out at least 1/2 the year. A sign and trade with the heat for Wiggins is more likely if LeBron takes a $30 million contract.
There is a less than 0% chance that LeBron signs on a MLE. Paul represents too many guys to have one of the best to ever do it sign for so little. Sets a bad precedent for the rest of the league and more importantly HIS clients.
Bron will either be a Laker or retire. Doesn’t take a genius to see that.
I don’t see him retiring. He would not know what to do and still wants to play.
Lakers are going to have a lot of holes to fill this summer. It would set back their future if they used their cap space to sign LeBron. I mean, besides their cap space, they really don’t have a lot else to improve their team.
There is no precedent. Lebron will be 42 next year. He’ll be the only over 40 free agent to sign a decent sized contract when if it’s the MLE.
@Was
LBJ is a walking outlier and U think the majority of Klutch clients and team GMs would understand that.
Would be nice to see him retire in Cleveland.
arc: Yes, you’re right, and while his skills have diminished, he’s still a remarkable athlete. 21/6/7 line at 41 years old? Good grief. I’ve never been a James fan, but how do you discount this guy’s legacy?!? Another year? Yup.
Maybe he plays one more season and then gets ready for the Olympics. Neat way to cap a career.
If he wants, Lebron can play for the minimum and if Kawhi gets released from his contract, he can play for the minimum too. Both can join GSW, who can acquire Giannis for Jimmy and firsts. Steph, Kawhi, Lebron, Dray, Giannis – oh my!
you wrote that without a shred of irony didn’t you
Its facts whether you like it or not.
All those options -could, in theory- happen.
It is your worst nightmare, so I hope it does happen.
Kawhi could also, in theory, just retire from the NBA altogether, go down to Brazil and work to make the rainforest more sustainable.
If LeBron retires, so does this mean Bronny does too?
They’d have to cut Bronny by the end of June or pay his full $2.3 million contract for best season. I think they’ll give another year though.
Over the last 6 regular season games Bronny averaged 7.2ppg/1.8apg/1.0rpg in 16.9mpg. He shot 47.2/42.9 during that stretch.
Small sample size but it’s probably worth it to take a longer look and see if he does have a future in a bench 3 and D role.
Do the “David Beckham LA Galaxy” contract. Resign him and let him own his own WNBA team and then he can draft his daughter in 10 years and dominate the W.
Savanna has made it clear that their daughter will be a volleyball player not a basketball one. I think she wins this fight.
Two things I thought I’d never see regarding LeBron were: 1) his leaving the game without a farewell tour, and/or 2) him accepting a “whatever’s available” contract to finish out his career. Not certain, but it appears likely that one of these will happen. I don’t see a desirable team (from his standpoint) with either cap space or a likely appetite for a sign-and-trade (easier to talk about than implement).
Think retirement is a long long long shot
I think GSW’s 15.1 offer is the bar here and see him choosing GSW over Cle (or Mia, field ect) if he’s not Laker bound. Think Lakers still the favorite tho (pretty heavily)
Id rank it
60% Lakers
30& GSW
10% Field
Perhaps Im a few ticks low on Field but I just dont see it
Interesting Q (to me ofc) becomes what does he try to get outta LAL if 15.1 is the bar……more , the same, less .
Lakers fans would hate it (they’ve long turned on LBJ for reasons ill never understand) but if free agency turns up dry the best route may just be a chunky 1 yr deal with LBJ and re-enter 2027 free agency (a better one by all matters) with max cap +
I agree on no retirement this year, and also that GSW – IF they are willing to hard cap at the 1st apron to offer the full MLE – would be the best bid. I’m skeptical that this is attractive enough on either side to to make it worth it. But if Curry wants it, it’s likely going to be put out there.
As you lay it out, sounds to me like it’s back to the LAL. If they’re open to bringing him back, I see them giving him a lot more $$ than the MLE (whatever is there under their otherwise applicable apron). He’s been clear that money matters. Back with the LAL, I do think its a farewell tour though – not just with the LAL.
Sad that the end to great players gets messy. I think LeBron would play for less if Cleveland would have him.
he said (what 2 weeks ago?) that he HATES playing in cleveland lol
No, what he said was, “”I don’t like going home either [to Cleveland].” Disliking a place isn’t the same as saying you hate it. He never said that.
don’t be shocked (and I don’t want this to happen) … if the heat land Giannis and /or Kawhi / Ja Morant… Lebron ends up back in miami… miami is the only team he’s never said anything negative about…. and it would give him a chance to make one last run as top scoring threat for a title caliber team… Bam / Giannis / Lebron with the heats bench (assuming wiggins and herro are gone in this scenario) would be beastly… as a heat fan though.. I don’t want lebron back anymore
The foto of LeBron accompanying this article should be the next NBA logo