The Los Angeles Lakers have LeBron James on an expiring contract, and Charles Barkley believes this is his last season with the franchise. King James opted in to a $52.6 million player option for this year and will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer. It is clear the Lakers are building around Luka Doncic now, and a difficult decision is coming in the offseason.
Luka is the alpha, and Austin Reaves is ready to be the number two. It leaves LeBron in a difficult situation. The 41-year-old is still elite, but the Lakers don’t know how much longer he can play at this level. They are chasing championships and can’t be paying King James like a superstar if he is not providing that on-court value.
Barkley made his stance on the situation clear during Wednesday’s Inside the NBA. He doesn’t see LeBron on the Lakers next season and even told fans where he wants to see the GOAT end his legendary career.
Charles Barkley thinks this is LeBron’s final season with the Lakers
Chuck is never afraid to give his opinion, and he said this about LeBron’s future.
“There is one thing I am sure of. This is his last year with the Lakers. He’s not going to play with the Lakers next year. I’ve always said I’d like to see him finish in Cleveland.”
The crew chatted about the Lakers' title odds this season before Barkley circled back on what happens with LBJ next year. The Hall of Famer made it clear that the franchise will and should end things with LeBron. See his quote below.
“I think he’s earned the right to a farewell tour, but it is clear that this is his last year with the Lakers. They’re going to move on, and I think that is the right thing to do. At some point, you've got to turn the team over to Luka and Austin. You can’t be paying him $50 million to be the third-best player on the team.”
Fans can listen to the entire chat below to get the full context.
Barkley is not the only one thinking this is the end for LeBron in Los Angeles. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon gave an eerily similar take on the Hoop Collective podcast. Insiders are even speculating if James could end up teaming with Stephen Curry in the Bay Area next season.
Barkley wants LeBron to return home to Cleveland. It would be a storybook ending for the GOAT, but nobody knows what the future holds.
When there is smoke, the rumblings are clearly getting across the league that the Lakers want out of the LeBron James business. It is difficult to build a contending roster around a 41-year-old superstar. King James has to stay healthy over the two-month playoff grind after a grueling 82-game regular season. That is difficult to do in your prime and even harder when you’re over 40.
The Los Angeles Lakers will break up with LeBron James in the offseason if Charles Barkley is right. Chuck is known for his outlandish takes, but he isn’t the only one saying this. LeBron may retire, return to LA for less money, or play for another team. All three options are firmly on the table. It will all be about what King James wants, so stay tuned.