LeBron James is 41 years old and still making headlines. He’s the first NBA player to play 23 seasons. But after this campaign, he’ll be a free agent. James has a player option for the 2026-27 season. Do the Los Angeles Lakers want to keep him, and can they afford to?
Only Two Possible Teams
Heavy reports that the Lakers are expected to negotiate with James and avoid giving him another huge contract. According to Lakers Daily, James will only consider an extension with the Lakers or a third stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Austin Reaves is expected to receive a contract offer rivaling James’ superstar deal, and the latter may have to accept a smaller salary to help the Lakers add depth this summer.
James has been quiet about his plans. He has not committed to retirement but has avoided confirming whether he’ll stay on in LA.
Shams Charania of ESPN recently said that James hasn’t made a decision, but the “feeling (…) around the league” is that he’ll play one more year, and the future may depend on how the Lakers finish the season.
James’s Future
Last fall, Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka said he and head coach JJ Redick would love for James to retire as a Laker.
Pelinka said it would be a “positive story” but would allow him to choose his future with his family in terms of how much longer he’ll play.
James’s role has been adjusted this season, with Redick recently admitting the team works best with him as the third-highest-used player. James has sometimes had to play more when there have been injuries, but he is behind Luka Doncic and Reaves.
James is still a relative spring chicken compared to the oldest NBA player ever, Nat Hickey, who set a record at 45 years and 363 days old way back in 1948.
As of mid-March, the Lakers had a 17-7 record in games without James.
Los Angeles Lakers Season
The Lakers are on course for an automatic playoff spot. James has played the most postseason games in the league’s history. He is a four-time champion, four-time MVP, and four-time Finals MVP.
The NBA odds suggest the Lakers are outsiders for the Championship this season, behind teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves and the New York Knicks. The Oklahoma City Thunder are widely considered favorites, with the Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, and Denver Nuggets next in line.
James’s former team, the Cavs, is considered the fifth-likeliest winners. Sporting News recently named James’s famous block in the 2015 Finals, which propelled Cleveland to its first NBA title, one of the greatest sports moments of all time. Redick’s team endured three straight losses in February but hit an excellent run of form in March.
Redick’s playoff history
Redick has yet to make the second round of the playoffs as a coach, with the Lakers losing in the first round in the previous two seasons. The former Orlando Magic player had a long history of making the playoffs, missing out only in his first season with the New Orleans Pelicans.
