On the Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective podcast, Tim MacMahon said that LeBron James "knows that this is going to be it for him in a Lakers uniform." Windhorst cut in to say he isn't sure that LeBron knows it's it, so MacMahon then said the 41-year-old superstar understands that it's "extremely likely" his time with the organization he's been with since 2018 is ending.
Windy still didn't seem so sure about that, but that doesn't mean this isn't LeBron's final season with the Lakers, a possibility that became a reality when the team didn't approach him about an extension over the summer. He picked up his $52.6 million option for 2025-26, marking the first time in his illustrious career that he is on an expiring contract.
Until he goes elsewhere, there is a chance LeBron could re-sign with the Lakers, though MacMahon said the team needs to get rid of LeBron's salary to complete the roster reconstruction they need around Luka Dončić. He called it a "simple fact."
Is this LeBron James' final season with the Lakers?
When Dončić essentially fell in LA's lap, the organization's focus shifted. It was no longer all about LeBron, but instead, the new star guard. The Lakers' offseason reflected that, as they looked ahead rather than going all-in on winning now with LeBron. However, Luka did say he is eager to make another championship run after experiencing what it's like to play in the NBA Finals with the Mavericks.
Los Angeles is currently 27-17, fifth in the West, but the truth is, this roster, as currently constructed, doesn't look like it can make a deep playoff run. When you have one of the worst defenses in the league (specifically, ranked 25th), you can't expect to be the last team standing in June. Perhaps Rob Pelinka will address that need before the deadline, or maybe he'll wait until the offseason.
From LeBron's perspective, he wants to be in a position to win another title before he retires, whenever that day might be. He'll be an unrestricted free agent this summer, meaning he could choose to leave the Lakers, even if they do have interest in bringing him back. Maybe he is already thinking about what it'd be like to team up with Steph Curry in the Bay. Or what it'd take to end his career with his hometown team.
You have to think, though, that if he does leave, it won't happen without LA making it clear that it doesn't want to re-sign him. While that isn't a 100 percent guarantee, as it's still way too early to say that with certainty, it does feel like the direction he and the Lakers are going in, or need to go in.