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LeBron James may end up on the Lakers a lot longer than fans think

By Jason Reed

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 27: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a call during the fourth quarter of an NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on March 27, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. New Orleans Pelicans won the game 116 - 108. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 27: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a call during the fourth quarter of an NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on March 27, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. New Orleans Pelicans won the game 116 - 108. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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LeBron James just signed a two-year extension with the Los Angeles Lakers that keeps him under contract through the 2023-24 season. LeBron has a player option with the team for the 2024-25 season, which is when his oldest son, Bronny, can come into the league.

LeBron has not been shy about expressing his desire to play with Bronny if he makes the NBA. This will put the ball in the Lakers’ court: draft Bronny and LeBron stays, don’t draft Bronny and he leaves.

Many believed that would be the last year that LeBron plays in the league, which would give him three more years in the NBA. However, it now appears that LeBron could play even longer in the NBA.

LeBron told Sports Illustrated’s Chris Ballard that he feels like he could play for a while, even throwing out the year 2027, which is when his younger son, Bryce, could be in the NBA.

"“I feel like I could play for quite a while. So it’s all up to my body, but more importantly, my mind. If my mind can stay sharp and fresh and motivated, then the sky’s not even a limit for me. I can go beyond that. But we shall see.”"

If anyone can play until they are 43 years old it is LeBron James. But would it even happen with the Los Angeles Lakers? A lot can happen in the next five years and it ultimately boils down to who drafts Bronny. As long as he is not a surefire lottery pick that the Lakers simply cannot draft, chances are they will make this happen for LeBron.

The Los Angeles Lakers might fulfill this dream for LeBron James.

If it really boils down to it, and LeBron himself is willing to take a pay cut in the future to make it happen, then it would be shocking if the Lakers do not make this happen, especially considering Jeanie Buss’s recent comments about LeBron.

Buss told The Athletic’s Sam Amick that it is a priority to the Lakers brand that LeBron retires as a Laker. If the Lakers are obviously prioritizing keeping LeBron around as long as he plays then they are going to do whatever it takes to make that happen.

Granted, if Bronny shoots up the prospect rankings then LA might not even have a chance to make this happen. This also opens the door for other teams to use this as leverage over the Lakers, knowing that LeBron won’t stick around if Bronny is not brought in.

But at the end of the day, all of the puzzle pieces are there for the Lakers to keep LeBron in LA until he retires. And instead of that being another three years, it could end up being another five or six years.