LeBron James has decided to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2024-25 season, exercising his player option to stay in purple and gold. But it might be his last season in the NBA
LeBron James took the one year option on his contract, guaranteeing one more season with LeBron in Los Angeles. Beyond that, his path remains a mystery, and speculation about his next move continues to dominate NBA conversations.
Over the summer, questions about whether LeBron would retire, leave for another franchise, or extend his run in L.A. reached a fever pitch. His return temporarily calmed the rumors, but insiders insist it hasn’t erased the growing uncertainty about what comes next.
For a player who has shaped the league for over two decades, every hint, every public statement, and every shift in the Lakers’ roster is being dissected for clues.
There is a new power system in L.A
One reason for the ongoing speculation lies in what some see as a changing power structure within the Lakers organization. Luka Doncic’s recent contract extension signals that the franchise’s long-term vision now centers around the Slovenian superstar.
While LeBron remains a marquee name, the move has fueled talk that his reign as the team’s focal point could be coming to a close. He doesn’t like this situation, but he won’t be moving this year.
Behind the scenes, league sources suggest that tensions between LeBron and the Lakers’ front office have been brewing for months, fueled by both contract negotiations and questions about the team’s competitive direction. In other words LeBron is not really happy with his current status in the team.
While nothing has been made official, this has only added more weight to the fact that LeBron’s current season in L.A. could be his last.
Could LeBron leave the NBA?
If LeBron does walk away from the Lakers — or the NBA altogether — there’s no shortage of possibilities. Some rumors point to him eventually joining the Los Angeles Clippers, allowing him to remain in the city while pursuing a fresh challenge, but this has been denied, because LeBron doesn’t want to play with another team in L.A.
Others see him exploring opportunities beyond the traditional league structure, including Ice Cube’s Big3 tournament, which has openly courted him as a potential star attraction.
Then there’s the retirement question — a topic that LeBron has managed to dodge without denying outright. At 40, with four NBA championships and countless records to his name, walking away on his own terms could be the ultimate power move.
For now, all anyone knows for sure is that LeBron James will take the court for the Lakers this season. What happens after that remains one of the NBA’s biggest unanswered questions — and perhaps the most intriguing storyline of his legendary career.