LeBron James may have the freedom to test the waters of free agency this summer, but all signs point to the King staying put in Los Angeles. The four-time NBA champion and all-time leading scorer holds a player option for the 2025-26 season, yet insiders suggest the likelihood of him leaving the Lakers is slim to none.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, LeBron is still heavily invested in the Lakers, both on the court and in his personal life. “His priority is to be a Laker and to live in Los Angeles,” Windhorst said during an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show. While the team’s long-term direction may now revolve around Luka Doncic,James‘ loyalty to the franchise seems unchanged.
Unless the Lakers give him a reason to reconsider, something Windhorst called highly unlikely, the 40-year-old superstar appears set to continue his tenure in L.A., where his son Bronny James is also expected to begin his NBA journey.
Bronny’s arrival and Luka’s presence seal the deal
The Lakers‘ roster outlook could be a key factor in LeBron’s decision. With 26-year-old Luka Doncic poised to lead the team’s next era and Bronny James potentially joining the squad, the stars are aligning for a family affair in Los Angeles.
LeBron has made it clear in the past that playing alongside his son would be a dream come true. That opportunity, coupled with the Lakers‘ evolving core, gives him little reason to explore other teams.
Still elite at 40, despite playoff setback
Even as he approaches his 41st birthday in December, LeBron remains one of the most productive players in the league. In the 2024-25 regular season, he averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists over 70 games. Despite a knee injury in the postseason, he elevated his play in the Lakers‘ first-round series loss to the Timberwolves, posting 25.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game.
James‘ legacy is firmly cemented, but he’s not done writing chapters in it. And if the latest reports are any indication, the next one will be written in Los Angeles, not anywhere else.
Read the full article here
