LeBron James has opted in to the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, reportedly worth $52.6 million for the 2025-26 season, but there was a twist to the news: he nearly pursued a move to a familiar Western Conference rival before pulling the trigger.
The decision to pick up his option isn’t the narrative most expected. In previous seasons, James often declined the option, testing free agency before re-signing.
This time around, however, he decided to take the full amount, not only securing a hefty payout but also keeping all options open for 2026 and beyond.
His agent, Rich Paul, made it clear that financial gain was a major driver. As ESPN’s Dave McMenamin summarized:
“When there’s $50 million on the table you take it. That was part of the motivating factor.”
But there’s much more beneath the surface. Paul said,
“LeBron wants to compete for a championship. He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all […] He wants to make every season he has left count.”
That statement sparked immediate speculation that James was pressuring the Lakers to either go all-in or risk losing him.
Paul, while thanking Lakers leadership, including Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka, emphasized that James will be monitoring offseason roster moves closely and may explore a trade if the organization doesn’t assemble a legitimate title contender.
Lebron’s interest in a Western rival
Indeed, insiders reveal that James and his camp had quietly eyed a particular Western Conference franchise.
Though deal specifics remain undisclosed, reports indicate James‘ potential interest in joining the Dallas Mavericks, while the Golden State Warriors have showed an interest in adding James to their ranks for the upcoming season.
One heavy hitter pitch included a blockbuster deal sending LeBron, and even his son Bronny, to Dallas, with the Lakers receiving players like Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford, and P.J. Washington.
Another league source claimed that four teams reached out to Rich Paul about LeBron this offseason; however, no formal trade discussions have begun.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst noted that rival front offices were “caught flat-footed” by the timing and intention of Rich Paul’s statement, interpreting it as a veiled threat that LeBron is prepared to exit L.A. if the roster doesn’t align with title aspirations.
For the Lakers, this presents a critical fork in the road. They just traded Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic and are in the process of building around the Slovenian superstar.
Meanwhile, LeBron, who turns 41 at the end of the next season, is still producing at a high level, averaging 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists last year. But this may very well be his last contract with a serious push for a championship.
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