Over the past week, there’s been a creeping suspicion that LeBron James’s time with the Los Angeles Lakers is truly nearing its end. Of course, many expect the 40-year-old to retire after next season, which is also the last one on his contract. Yet, the whispers on the wind aren’t just about that, with myriad factors contributing to him being at a crossroads.
So far as James’s impending retirement goes, there’s always the lure of returning home to Cleveland. Aside from the retirement talk, there’s speculation that he hasn’t been ecstatic about the franchise now basing their decisions around Luka Doncic. A four-time NBA champion, he could also be trying to determine what team gives him the best chance of winning another ring before he retires.
LeBron James Trade Debate Rages On
James has now been linked to four teams should he leave the Lakers this offseason: the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks. Of those teams, only the Warriors have shown sincere interest in trading for the 21-time All-Star (and that was before they acquired Jimmy Butler).
The Cavs “are not that interested,” per Kurt Helin of NBC Sports. The Mavericks are only willing to add James “in a buyout situation,” per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. Even the Knicks have said “no,” per Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.
For the LeBron-to-Knicks speculation, I checked on it and the answer was, “No. Makes for good chatter but no.”
— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) July 3, 2025
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So where does that leave James, arguably the greatest player of all-time?
On the one hand, the rumors about any or all of those teams having lukewarm interest in a player of his caliber could just be gamesmanship on the part of front office executives. After all, the Houston Rockets played it cool about Kevin Durant all last season, citing concerns about his age and salary. Then they traded for him before the 2025 NBA Draft.
Who’s to say the Mavs, Cavs, or Knicks aren’t taking the same approach? It’s particularly possible as each of these teams, including the Warriors, are in win-now mode. To that point, James is nothing if not a win-now player.
On the other hand, because of James’s age and salary, there really are inherent complications with trading for him. It’s not impossible in that sense then, crazier things have happened. It’s simply complex and possibly improbable.
The Bottom Line
If James does just want to play one more season with the team of his choosing, a buyout would be best.
Honestly, the Lakers have appreciated him so much they might just waive him and let him keep his salary. His pride may prevent him from signing a minimum contract no matter how much L.A. lets him keep. However, when he hangs it up, nobody will be talking about how much he made in his final season. They’ll be discussing whether he won it all or not and at what cost.
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