For years, the Staples Center has been buzzing with Los Angeles Lakers fans chanting, and LeBron James gliding across the hardwood with the same poise he’s shown for over two decades – but could this season be his last with the team?
LeBron James is set to hit free agency this summer for the first time in his 23-year NBA career, and speculation about his future is reaching a fever pitch.
The 41-year-old forward has managed minutes carefully this season, sitting out 14 games due to a sciatica injury, while Luka Doncic has emerged as the league’s next superstar.
Reports suggest Lakers minority owner Jeanie Buss is frustrated with how things are unfolding, and chatter around the league hints that Cleveland Cavaliers could be a landing spot for James.
Still, no official discussions have been reported between the Cavs and their former star, but Charles Barkley went even further, predicting the inevitable.
“There’s one thing I’m sure of-this is his last year with the Lakers,” Barkley told ESPN. “He’s not going to play with the Lakers next year. I’ve always said I’d like to see him finish in Cleveland. I’m not opposed to him getting traded to Cleveland this year.”
Barkley previously suggested LeBron should leave Lakers
LeBron has adjusted his lifestyle to maintain peak performance, giving up alcohol and tweaking his routines to prolong his career.
After the Cavs–Lakers matchup on January 28, he shared insight into his continued drive as he defies expectations of when he will drop off the age-related cliff.
“My why has been that I’m still playing this game at a high level,” LeBron said. “And I still love the process. Putting in the work, inspiring, and giving what I got to the game. The drive of how much juice I can squeeze out of this orange… I’m in a battle with Father Time, and I’m kind of taking it personal. I’m gonna see how many more times I can be victorious over him.”
LeBron’s 2025/26 season vs. 2024/25
This highlights slight declines across stats, reflecting reduced minutes and a more cautious approach with age.
And Barkley has long suggested LeBron consider leaving Los Angeles. Ahead of the 2025 season, he urged James to move on from the Lakers as the team struggled to maintain relevance in the Western Conference.
He also noted that the Dallas Mavericks could emerge as a major Western Conference contender behind the already-dominant Oklahoma City Thunder and hinted that James‘ window for contention in LA may be closing.
“LeBron is going to have to move on at some point. I mean, it is what it is,” Barkley said in August 2025. “You know, he’s been there, even though he’s been putting up good numbers, they haven’t been successful in probably four years.”
The new NBA collective bargaining agreement, however, makes trading James tricky, given his $52.63 million salary this season. This may influence whether he stays in LA or moves on, and how any potential deal could be structured.
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