LeBron James still has the possibility of returning to the Lakers, even as he approaches his 41st birthday this December. The four-time league MVP and four-time Finals MVP continues to weigh his future.
James can opt out of his contract for the 2025-2026 season and become an unrestricted free agent. Still, no one truly expects him to retire-not when he has the chance to share the court next season with both Luka Doncic and his son, Bronny, who are already on the Lakers roster. Without question, “The King” would love to play alongside the two.
NBA analysts widely believe that LeBron will stay with the Lakers next season. The organization is expected to come back with renewed intensity in its quest to reclaim a championship-something that has eluded Los Angeles in recent years.
I would never cement it just because the Lakers are pivoting a little bit now,” Windhorst said. “Not a little bit. They’ve pivoted to Luka. And so that makes their medium-term future a little bit harder to predict, but LeBron has demonstrated repeatedly, time after time after time, his priority is to be a Laker and to live in Los Angeles.
That’s what ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said. He added
Unless the Lakers did something to him to change the way he feels about them, which is not their MO – I don’t see that happening.
LeBron James appeared in 70 games during the regular season, averaging 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game.
Lakers’ urgency to address the pivot position
The Lakers are in urgent need of a reliable center if they want to reestablish themselves as one of the NBA’s elite teams. Nic Claxton of the Brooklyn Nets is emerging as a top candidate. He’s known for his high-level defense, which could provide much-needed stability and versatility to the Lakers lineup.
Though the Lakers might hesitate over Claxton due to his inconsistency last season, it’s worth noting that his uneven performance wasn’t entirely his fault. The Nets struggled across the board and failed to deliver on multiple fronts.
Despite a few potential concerns, the 26-year-old remains an appealing option for Los Angeles. Acquiring him won’t be cheap-but keeping him in Brooklyn may prove just as costly for the Nets, which could open the door for his move west.
Meanwhile, Walker Kessler and John Collins of the Utah Jazz are also reportedly on the Lakers’ radar, though sources suggest the Jazz are not eager to part with either player.
Lastly, it’s worth highlighting Luka Doncic, now officially part of the team. However, the expectation is for him to truly commit-to bring professionalism and genuine contribution on and off the court. Only then will his arrival make the impact Los Angeles fans hope for.
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