Lakers’ LeBron James strategy gains support from unlikely ally

Sometimes the most revealing things are not said in press releases or media scrums, sometimes they just slip out during casual moments, like a teenager talking freely on an Instagram Live.

Well, that is exactly what happened when Bryce James, the youngest son of LeBron James, was asked whether he thinks his dad will still be playing by the time he is able to reach the NBA. Without much hesitation, Bryce replied: “That’s too much. No. No. Cause look… he’s gonna be 42, bro.”

That answer involves no media spin, there was no strategic messaging, it was just a real, off-the-cuff answer that said more than any headline. And whether he meant to or not, Bryce may have backed up what the Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly been thinking all along.

Is LeBron James really being viewed as an expiring deal?

Not too long ago ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that “The Lakers are essentially viewing LeBron as an expiring contract.”

That’s a strong statement about a player who has been at the center of the league for over two decades, but if you take a deeper look, it lines up with the facts. LeBron opted into the final year of his deal this summer, something he has never done on any of his teams before. 

For a player like LeBron, known for always keeping the leverage in his hands, that move sent a subtle but clear message that this might truly be the end. Bryce’s comment only adds to that feeling. If even his own family sees 2025-26 as the likely finish line, it makes sense that the Lakers are preparing for it. And they should be.

Time for the Lakers to move on

Building a team around a soon-to-be 41-year-old, no matter how brilliant, is not a long-term strategy. The future is uncertain, and that uncertainty now includes LeBron himself. It is not like if LeBron were to leave tomorrow the team would be left with nothing. They have Luka Doncic, a much younger superstar they should start focusing on.

To be fair, the idea of LeBron sticking around to play with Bronny or even Bryce has been extremely intriguing. But as Bryce’s own development continues, and as he currently projects as a three-star college recruit, that dream is starting to feel more like a long shot than a real possibility.

So while fans debate how long LeBron can realistically play, the Lakers seem to be making peace with a simple reality. What looked like just another IG Live moment may end up being one of the most honest assessments of where things stand, and where they are headed.