LeBron James, Lakers
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LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers throws chalk into the air before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
For the first time in his career, LeBron James will begin a season without a player option or contract extension. That uncertainty has fueled questions about whether this could be his last year with the Los Angeles Lakers — or in the NBA altogether.
Hall of Famer Charles Barkley urged James to make a decision sooner rather than later.
“LeBron is going to have to move on at some point. It is what it is,” Barkley said on “The Bettor Angle” podcast on Aug. 23. “Even though he’s been putting up good numbers, they haven’t been successful in probably four years.”
Since their 2020 championship inside the NBA’s Orlando bubble, the Lakers have struggled to sustain contention. They reached the Western Conference Finals in 2023 but were swept in the series. The other three seasons ended in first-round playoff exits or missed postseason berths.
Lakers Shift to Luka Era
Barkley suggested the team has already begun moving on.
“It’s already Luka’s team now,” Barkley said. “You don’t sign and trade for Luka Dončić, give him all that money, and it’s not his team.”
Los Angeles shocked the league last season by acquiring Dončić in a blockbuster deal that included James’ longtime co-star Anthony Davis. Since then, the franchise has leaned into building around the Slovenian star, from backing out of a deal involving young center Mark Williams to signing Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart, both of whom were recruited by Doncic.
This summer, the Lakers cemented their commitment by signing Dončić to a three-year, $165 million extension. James, meanwhile, enters the final year of his $52.6 million deal with no new agreement in place.
The organization’s recent preference for short-term contracts suggests it is preserving flexibility for 2027, when stars Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo could become free agents.
Warriors Continue Pursuit
Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors have repeatedly explored the idea of pairing James with Stephen Curry, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer. He reported in “The Stein Line” newsletter on Aug. 22 that Golden State has reached out to the Lakers multiple times over the past 18 months, though talks never gained traction.
The pursuit dates back to the 2024 trade deadline but stalled after James’ agent, Rich Paul, warned of potential backlash if his client switched teams again.
“Sources say Paul implored both teams to scrap the concept … largely because he wanted to insulate James from potential backlash,” NBA insider Marc Stein reported at the time.
Interest resurfaced this summer after James picked up his $52.6 million player option. Paul told ESPN in June that James “wants to compete for a championship” and that both sides are evaluating what’s best for his career. He stopped short of confirming any trade request.
Future Remains Unclear
Despite outside interest, James is expected to report to Lakers training camp, according to The Athletic. Still, Golden State’s persistence reflects the unusual circumstances surrounding the twilight of his career.
ClutchPoints insider Brett Siegel tempered the speculation, posting on X that “nothing has changed, and the Lakers aren’t interested” despite repeated Warriors inquiries.
Whether James remains in purple and gold, pursues another team, or steps away entirely, the Lakers’ pivot toward Dončić has signaled a new era in Los Angeles — and one that leaves the future of one of the NBA’s greatest players hanging in the balance.