LeBron James is at a crossroads regarding his future with the Los Angeles Lakers following his decision to exercise his player option for the 2025-26 season. While speculation mounts about a possible trade or retirement, recent insights suggest that a separation may not be the only outcome. A report released on January 23, 2026, highlighted a strained relationship between James and former Lakers owner Jeanie Buss prior to her sale of the team for $10 billion in June 2025. This context has fueled discussions about James’s next steps as the NBA season progresses.
Potential Paths Ahead for James
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst analyzed three primary options for the 41-year-old athlete during an episode of “Get Up.” The choices include remaining with the Lakers at a reduced salary, signing with a different team, or retiring altogether. Notably, James holds a no-trade clause, which Windhorst emphasized makes a mid-season move unlikely.
Windhorst stated, “The entire league knows these three options. Coming back to the Lakers at this salary is not an option—not because he’s diminished greatly as a player, but because the Lakers have to retrofit their spending around Luka Doncic.” He estimated that there is a roughly 33% chance James could return to the Lakers under a reduced contract, enabling the team to build around Doncic. Windhorst expressed skepticism about the Lakers’ championship aspirations, suggesting that they may not contend until the 2027-28 season.
James’s Current Performance and Team Dynamics
Despite the uncertainties, there seems to be a consensus that James prefers to remain with the Lakers, even amid recent frustrations. His agent, Rich Paul, affirmed that both he and James have felt well-treated since the superstar joined the organization. This season, James has averaged 22.5 points, 6.9 assists, and 6.0 rebounds per game. The Lakers recorded a 26-17 record as of January 23, indicating they are playoff contenders, although not viewed as serious title threats.
As the season unfolds, all possibilities remain on the table for James. He may consider continuing his career with a lower salary if it allows the Lakers to pursue another championship. With his extensive experience and leadership, any decision he makes will undoubtedly have significant implications for both his career and the franchise’s future.
