Dave McMenamin of ESPN reported on Tuesday that LeBron James would be "welcomed" back by the Los Angeles Lakers if he chooses to return for his 24th season. The 41-year-old is on an expiring contract and is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer. He could retire, sign with another team (like the Cavaliers), or stay in LA.
LeBron's future with the Lakers is a popular topic of conversation, but the circumstances are different from what they were before the 2025 deadline. The trade for Luka Dončić changed everything, giving Los Angeles a new face of the franchise. The superstar guard signed an extension over the offseason, while the team didn't approach LeBron about one.
The team's focus has been on creating and maintaining future financial flexibility, not on doing whatever it takes to keep LeBron around. The Lakers aren't forcing LeBron out, as McMenamin's report proves otherwise, but they're not going to dish out another lucrative contract to him, or they would've done that before the season started.
If he wants to stay in LA, his next deal won't compare to the $52.6 million he's making this season. Even if he leaves for a team like Cleveland, he'd have to take a pay cut. It will come down to whether he wants to continue playing and retire with the Lakers.
Lakers aren't shutting the door on LeBron James
As McMenamin wrote, Rob Pelinka said before the season started that he wants LeBron to retire with the organization. McMenamin reported "that sentiment was meant to reflect a 2026 retirement or a 2027 retirement." Based on that, it sounds like LA is willing to sign him to a one-year deal.
While the Lakers are open to keeping LeBron around, at least for another season, that doesn't mean he is willing to stay in LA, although that's where his family is.
We know that ESPN's Baxter Holmes reported at the end of January that team governor Jeanie Buss has "began to turn" on the superstar. It doesn't seem like his relationship with the organization is at its best, but that doesn't mean you can rule out a return, even if it feels like he's entering his last couple of months with the team.
Hopefully, the 2025-26 season won't just be LeBron's last in the NBA, but it won't be his last with the Lakers, either. Cavaliers fans are rooting for a different outcome. He probably has a good idea of what he wants to do, but he doesn't need to share it yet. We won't have to wait much longer to find out.