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For the fourth time in five years since the Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA title in 2020, they will not take part in the second round of the NBA playoffs. That's a bad trend when you're trying to convince a 40-year-old you can help bring him a fifth championship.
LeBron James has had many stops in his career. But, believe it or not, if he plays one more season for the Lakers in 2025-2026, it will be his eighth in a row there. That will be the longest continuous tenure he's had with any one team.
But will he make it to eight? The 22-year veteran has a player option worth just under $53 million to stay with the Lakers next season, but he could also depart if he thinks L.A. doesn't have the front office vision to cobble together a real championship roster.
LeBron James' camp is keeping options open
Apparently, even before the loss in Game 5 that booted LeBron James and the Lakers from the playoff picture, those around him were already considering non-Lakers possibilities for next season and beyond.
Per The Athletic's Jovan Buha and Sam Amick, it's not only Lakers team sources that are saying the possibility for James to depart Crypto.com Arena is a real one. It's also sources close to LeBron himself, which should be a bit more worrying for Lakers fans.
"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."
To be clear, all this report is saying is that the possibility that he leaves is there, not that it is the most likely outcome. And we believe it is pretty unlikely LeBron leaves. Especially now that he finally has someone in Luka Doncic that can take the reins as his team's top player.
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LeBron notably mentioned Anthony Davis in his postgame presser. He noted how Davis was asking L.A. for more size, and was traded shortly after. It was clear that he was right, however, as LeBron was forced to play the 4 very often with no reliable size on the roster.
However, general manager Rob Pelinka, who's always had a tight relationship with LeBron James, acknowledged that the King will have "high expectations" for roster improvement after such an ignominious first round exit.
Pelinka said the Lakers brass will do "everything we can to meet" LeBron's expectations. Considering that quote—and the fact that LeBron buddy JJ Redick looks like he will remain as head coach—we believe LeBron will be involved in improving the Lakers this offseason so he can win his fifth in Lala Land, rather than searching for greener pastures.
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