LeBron James
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Rumors are swirling that suggest Lakers' legend LeBron James could retire and become the owner of the NBA's Las Vegas expansion franchise
The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves in the middle of a cold stretch, as they have lost four of their past six games, despite having their star trio of Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves at their disposal. And the more games the Lakers lose, the more likely it seems that James won’t be with Los Angeles next season.
What the future holds for James at this point in his career is unknown, but it seems like anything is on the table for the 41-year-old legend. Now, rumors are beginning to emerge that suggest James could abruptly retire this offseason and become the face of the NBA’s Las Vegas expansion franchise.
LeBron James Linked to Stunning Las Vegas Move
Even in his age-41 season, James has remained a very productive player for the Lakers, as he’s averaging 21.7 points, seven assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game while shooting 49.9% from the field. And yet, the trio of him, Doncic, and Reaves has not clicked this season, with many folks beginning to notice that L.A. has looked significantly better when Doncic and Reaves are running the show without James on the floor.
As a result, James has been linked to several different teams as this season has unfolded. Some folks think a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers could be in the cards, while others believe he could team up with Stephen Curry on the Golden State Warriors as both guys look to go on a final title run before calling it a career.
Retirement hasn’t really been floated as a consideration, as the overarching expectation is that he will play at least one more season before calling it a career. However, a new rumor could throw a wrench in those plans, as James could reportedly be considering calling it a career and transitioning into an ownership role as the face of a potential NBA expansion franchise in Las Vegas.
“One line of thinking is that he might retire, and his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, might sell the rest of his agency to UTA (United Talent Agency),” Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report wrote. “With financial backing, they then might look to step into ownership roles. It’s important to note the NBA has not decided on expansion, let alone which cities. If Vegas is among the most likely destinations (along with Seattle), the league will let multiple candidates pitch locations.”
What Does the Future Hold for LeBron James?
LeBron James, Lakers, Caitlin Clark
GettyLeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on prior to their game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
With the Lakers struggling, it seems more and more likely that James will not be with the team next season. At this stage of his career, James is simply looking to win championships, and if he feels that this current squad in Los Angeles is not capable of winning it all, he appears to have no intention of staying with them moving forward.
Rumors linking James to a potential ownership role with a Las Vegas franchise that doesn’t even exist yet are likely a bit premature. And yet, ever the visionary, James could have his eye on the next big thing before the rest of the world is even thinking about it. If anything, this proves that all cards are on the table for James, making his status well worth watching over the next few months.