The Los Angeles Lakers blew by expectations during the 2024-25 regular season as they eclipsed their projected win total with ease on their way to a Pacific Division title.
Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse once the postseason tipped off as LeBron James, Luka Doncic and company were eliminated from the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games. Now, the focus shifts to the future as Rob Pelinka has to figure out which buttons to push during the offseason to build a roster capable of making a deeper run at a title next year.
After making some surprising comments regarding his role in getting Doncic to remain in Los Angeles, The Athletic's Jovan Buha and Sam Amick are now reporting LeBron's future with the Purple and Gold moving forward is not an absolute slam dunk. There's a possibility that James could elect to leave Los Angeles for another home within the NBA.
"So, might James think about finishing his career elsewhere in pursuit of a fifth ring? When posed that question, both league sources close to James and team sources would not rule that possibility out. And that was before the revealing elimination game."The Athletic
Would James really consider leaving the Lakers at this stage of his career? Given how he has been willing to move around the league before coming to Los Angeles, it cannot be ruled out regardless of whether his son is currently on the Lakers' roster.
However, when you take a look around the league and see the position other franchises are in with regard to their current salary cap situation, organizations would have to jump through hoops in order to create the type of space needed to add LeBron to their roster at the price point he would deem acceptable.
Barring James electing to retire from the league this offseason, it would be difficult to picture him suiting up for another franchise once the 2025-26 campaign tips. Yet, LeBron has shocked the basketball world before though when faced with decisions like these. We'll just have to wait and see what the NBA legend decides to do next, whenever that time comes.