This season has been one unlike any other for LeBron James. Just by stepping on the court for the Los Angeles Lakers he made history, becoming the first player to ever suit up for a 23rd NBA season. And for the first time, that didn’t happen on opening night as James dealt with sciatica on his right side, costing him the first 14 games of the season.
Once he did get on the court, there were some growing pains as James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves worked to figure out the best way to maximize each of their skills on the court together. Once it did come together, however, the Lakers looked like one of the best teams in the NBA and James continued to wow everyone by still being one of the best players in the NBA at 41 years old.
Questions about James’ future continued on throughout the season, but he remained noncommittal on anything. He is also set to be an unrestricted free agent as his contract expires after the season. And there are many options for James’ future as the offseason arrives, as we broke down.
LeBron James returns to Lakers
Earlier this season, this felt like an unlikely scenario as rumors swirled that the Lakers might be ready to move on from James. But after the Lakers clicked into place in March with James taking on a third-option role, and his outstanding play in the playoffs, it is still a very real possibility, and some might say likely, that he finishes his career in L.A.
The big question is what James’ contract would look like. He made $52.6 million this season, but with the Lakers needing to re-sign Austin Reaves to a new deal that will be worth far more than the $14.9 million he made this season, not to mention players such as Rui Hachimura and Luke Kennard also being free agents this summer, the franchise might look for him to take a pay cut in order for them to help build out the rest of the roster.
James’ family is based in Southern California and, of course, his oldest son Bronny James remains a member of the Lakers roster as well, which could be a motivating factor in him remaining with the purple and gold. His off-court ventures and businesses also operate out here as well, making for a much easier life on and off the court if he were to re-sign.
If James is buying into what the Lakers showed in March when Doncic was healthy, then perhaps he feels staying with the purple and gold would give him the best of both worlds where he can stay close to family and also still compete for one last championship.
LeBron James finishes career with hometown Cavaliers
If James were to go elsewhere this offseason, many believe it would be for a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he began his career. Of course, James is from nearby Akron, Ohio and is the best player in the history of that franchise, bringing them their lone NBA Championship in 2016. So finishing his career back home would be poetic.
Additionally, the Cavaliers could be looking to make some changes this summer as they have been unable to get over the hump in the Eastern Conference. If they come up short once again this season, they could look to bring in James to help them reach a new level.
However, the Cavaliers’ salary cap issues make this a difficult move to make. Cleveland doesn’t have the cap space and are already over the second apron so unless they can get creative, perhaps with a sign-and-trade of some sort, it would be tough for James to land with the Cavaliers unless he signed for the minimum which is highly unlikely.
LeBron James signs with Warriors or elsewhere to finish career
There are other teams that James could sign with in free agency and some have floated the idea of him joining the Golden State Warriors. He and Stephen Curry loved playing together on the Olympic Team in 2024, which was coached by Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, and they also feature one of James’ closest friends in the league in Draymond Green.
The idea of one season with James and Curry together, after years of battling in the NBA Finals, would be must-watch for the NBA as a whole, though how they could make that work salary-wise is also a question mark.
There are other potential teams James could land with as well, including potentially the New York Knicks, though that would require a sign-and-trade. James could also potentially stay in Los Angeles, but join the Clippers as they have the potential to open up salary cap space with the right roster moves and a team-up with Kawhi Leonard could be appealing.
LeBron James retires
Despite all of the options he has in front of him, James could very well decide to call it a career and retire after the season. Many have felt that James wouldn’t do that because he would want a farewell tour in his final NBA season, but that report has been disputed.
The fact is that James has accomplished literally everything there is to do in basketball. Whether he is considered the greatest player ever is up for debate, but no one can argue that he has had the greatest career in NBA history and nobody has ever been as good for as long as him. The fact that he has been able to share the court with his son is just the cherry on top and if he chooses to hang it up, he has left nothing on the table.
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