Lakers forward could leave Los Angeles to team up with Kawhi Leonard, Clippers, per writer

Fans should expect LeBron James to return to the Los Angeles Lakers for another season, but there’s no guarantee the 21-time All-Star will retire with the franchise. 

When the 2026 offseason rolls around, Bobby Marks isn’t ruling out the possibility of James joining the Kawhi Leonard-led Los Angeles Clippers.

“When James does become a free agent next summer, there will be no shortage of teams waiting for him,” Marks wrote Wednesday. “The crosstown Clippers could have enough money to sign him outright and pair him with Kawhi Leonard.”

"But remember, James will have earned $584 million on the court after his contract with the Lakers expires. Which begs the question: Does the chance at a fifth championship outweigh another big payday?”

James hasn’t endured the best summer following the conclusion of his 22nd NBA campaign. 

The four-time NBA champion has been forced to accept the fact that the Lakers are prioritizing Luka Doncic’s needs over his, signaling that James is no longer the main attraction in Los Angeles.

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If James, who averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds last season, feels motivated to end his tenure with Los Angeles after the 2025-26 season, the Clippers would be a popular destination for the future Hall of Fame forward. 

Like James, Leonard is an aging superstar inching closer to retirement. 

Still, his ability to use his fluid mid-range jumper to take command of games late and maintain his awe-inspiring defensive reputation would work well alongside a physically imposing, highly intelligent phenom in James. 

It’ll be interesting to see how James approaches the 2026 free agency period at age 41.

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