With the Lakers rolling, is LeBron James more likely to return to the team?

It’s time for another LeBron James temperature check. 

While his future remains up in the air, his circumstances have changed. 

It’s time for another LeBron James temperature check.  IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

He has embraced being the Lakers’ third option. The Big Three has figured things out. And the team is a contender. 

It begs a question: If he returns for another season, is he more likely to play for the Lakers now?

While no one knows the answer except James, one thing is obvious. There’s a different feeling in the locker room now than there has been all season. 

James went from saying “we’re not” a championship team after falling to the Thunder in January, to calling the Lakers “very resilient ” after a win over the Nets on Friday. 

He went from acknowledging during All-Star break that one of the biggest questions for the team was “how much chemistry we can build,” to spending his off-days golfing alongside his teammates on a recent road trip during which the Lakers went 5-1. 

Austin Reaves and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers practice their golf swing before the game. NBAE via Getty Images

He went from lamenting that the Big Three hadn’t had enough time together to jell, to embracing being the team’s third option so they could become one of the most formidable offenses in the league. 

Now, the Lakers have won 14 of their last 16 games heading into Monday’s showdown against the lowly Wizards, including going on a recent nine-game winning streak.

All of the sudden, a return to Los Angeles seems much more likely for James than it did just a short while ago. 

Before this month, the Lakers were mired in drama and dysfunction. 

James had to answer questions about his relationship with Lakers’ governor Jeanie Buss in January after an ESPN story alleged she had a myriad of frustrations with him and even privately pondered trading him. 

The Big Three had only played 11 games together before the All-Star break because of injuries. And after the Lakers improved to 10-2 when Doncic and Reaves played without James, a narrative sprang up that the Lakers were better without the megastar. 

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James dribbles against Brooklyn Nets forward Ziaire Williams during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

For arguably the greatest player of all-time, whose name sits at the top of nearly every NBA record, why did he need all of that drama?

It seemed as though his time with the Lakers was coming to an end.

The Lakers had made it obvious that their top priority was building around Doncic. And James just seemingly wasn’t fitting into that equation. 

Adding fuel to the rumor mill, James teared up during his return to Cleveland in January while watching a tribute video. If he didn’t retire, it seemed as though there was a real chance he’d want to finish his career where it all began. 

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But things have changed. 

Now James has morphed his game to fit alongside Doncic and Reaves and the Lakers are soaring. After James had a 19-point, 15-rebound and 10-assist performance against the Heat on the second leg of a back-to-back on March 19, James, unprompted, took a dig at everyone who doubted him. 

“I mean it sells papers a lot easier and clippings and podcasts if you say ‘LeBron, that their team is better off without him,'” James said. “A lot of people will try to like view it. So, I get it. But they’re absolutely wrong.”

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James reacts after a play against the Orlando Magic in the first quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Over the last nine games, the narrative that the Lakers were better without him has been completely shut down.

He’s looking to pass first and fill in the gaps. He has become perhaps the best role player ever. He has opened up the court for Doncic to have scoring explosions and Reaves to shine. Oh, and the team’s third option just happens to be a four-time MVP who’s in a two-horse race with Michael Jordan for the GOAT title.

Good luck to the rest of the league in the playoffs.

At this stage in James’ career, the things that are important to him are obvious. 

James wants a real shot at earning his fifth ring. That’s happening. The Lakers are in third place in the West and have found their stride with the playoffs around the corner. 

And James wants to enjoy his time alongside his son, Bronny.

That’s happening, too.

LeBron James and Bronny James of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during the game against the Indiana Pacers on March 25, 2026 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) NBAE via Getty Images

Last week, Bronny further silenced his detractors by playing meaningful minutes in two games. James and Bronny even made history with the first father-son assist in NBA history. 

James is now enjoying himself. And that’s very important. 

Recently, James revealed how he wants his NBA career to end. 

“Me smiling,” he told the California Post last month. 

Up until a month ago, James didn’t have many reasons to smile with the Lakers. 

Now he does.