LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers
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LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers may play his last season elsewhere, and one NBA insider has an update on trade talks.
The Los Angeles Lakers did not offer LeBron James a contract extension this offseason, making the 40-year-old forward an unrestricted free agent in 2026. The decision sparked widespread reactions, with some criticizing the Lakers, while others understood the franchise’s decision to move on from the aging star.
Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus ranked the Lakers’ offseason decision as ninth in his list of the “10 Boldest Moves of the 2025 NBA Offseason.”
“The Los Angeles Lakers have given LeBron James a “yes” to essentially every contract demand since acquiring the former NBA MVP in 2018 as a free agent. Whether it was trading most of the roster to acquire Anthony Davis (leading to the title in 2020), bringing on Russell Westbrook, or drafting his son, Bronny James, in 2024, the Lakers have done James’ bidding,” Pincus wrote on August 30.
Lakers Ready to Move On?
Pincus offered praise to the Lakers front office for the courage of their conviction, pointing out how James had never entered a season before on an expiring contract.
“That’s not necessarily a criticism; for many, James ranks as the No. 1 best player in league history,” he continued.
“But this summer, the Lakers didn’t give him whatever he wanted. When James needed to decide on his player option before the end of June, the Lakers chose not to offer him a longer deal. Without a one-plus-one (two-year deal with a player option after the 2025-26 season) or a three-year contract offer from the Lakers, James chose to opt into his final year.
“L.A. has a new face of the franchise (Luka Dončić), and the bold signal was made to James (turning 41 in December) that he is no longer that guy.”
LeBron James on an Expiring Deal
For the first time in his career, James will enter an NBA season on an expiring contract, putting his future with the Lakers in jeopardy. In previous years, James had at least a player option on his deal that he would typically decline and sign a new one.
However, in a surprising turn of events, James opted into his $52.6 million player option, following which his agent, Rich Paul, hinted that his client might bolt from L.A.
The Lakers’ bold move, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Ramona Shelburne, is due to their insistence on keeping their books clear for the 2027 offseason, when stars like Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo could become available as free agents.
“The Lakers had already made their statement in not offering James a contract beyond this season,” the NBA insiders wrote in July 11 report. “It was abundantly clear that the 21-time All-Star’s time as the face of the Lakers had, for the first time, a planned end date, even if James’ record-setting NBA career did not yet.
“Whether the 2025-26 season is to be James’ final season in the NBA is up to him. But if he wanted the kind of Hollywood ending that only the Lakers can give legends of the game, the release date was set.
“Spring 2026. Luka Doncic in, LeBron James out.”