The Los Angeles Lakers have put all their eggs in the Luka Doncic basket. While that bodes well for the 17-time NBA champions, the same can’t be said for LeBron James.

Since the 21-time All-Star picked up his player option for next season with the Lakers, rumors have persisted about his impending future with the team and the NBA in general. While he could have signed another extension to stay in Los Angeles, James will now become a free agent next summer. 

Writing on some of the key storylines of the upcoming season, Brett Siegel, NBA insider for Clutch Points, offered an update on James’ future. 

“There has been much speculation about 

what the future holds for LeBron James,” Siegel wrote. “Whether or not this will be LeBron’s final season remains unanswered, but there have been indications that the 2025-26 season could be his last in a Lakers uniform.”

Reports emerged over the summer that James had an interest in joining the Golden State Warriors or Dallas Mavericks. He has also been rumored to be eyeing retirement, but as of now, he remains with the Lakers for the 2025-26 season. 

LeBron James’ Plans Remain Unknown

Referring to a potential James and Lakers breakup, Siegel cited the now-prominent interview between agent Rich Paul and ESPN’s Shams Charania after news he picked up his player option 

was announced.

In that interview, Paul said James was still looking to win championships, even in the twilight of his career. He mentioned that the Lakers organization knows that,

 and also wants to do everything it can to help make that a possibility. 

“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” Paul said. “We do want to evaluate 

what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what’s best for him.”

While there were no outward talks about James leaving the team or concrete plans for his future, many thought the messaging was fortuitous in terms of his remaining time in Los Angeles. In what 

was seemingly meant to be a press junket to complement the major news, Paul’s comments, speaking on behalf of James, read more like a goodbye letter than anything else. 

“We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’ve had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.”

Siegel shared that same thought, saying “everyone assumed this was a passive way of saying LeBron didn’t want to be with the Lakers anymore and would actually entertain the idea of waiving his no-trade clause to play elsewhere

He also wrote that the Lakers making a midseason trade would be unlikely. After their offseason additions, Rob Pelinka and the front office might as well do what they can to win in what might be his last year on the team.

Set For Year 23 With Luka Doncic And The Lakers

Even with the rampant reports and rumors on James’ future, Siegel made sure to take the time to praise the 40-year-old entering his 23rd NBA season. 

“As crazy as it may sound, given his age and the fact that he has played 1,854 total games in his career, regular season and playoffs,” Siegel wrote.

 “James is still a top-10 talent in the NBA.”

While the scoring has dropped over the past few years and his defense remains a reasonable criticism, James has consistently been one of the more impactful offensive players in the NBA, despite his age.

Things didn’t finish well in his first season with Luka Doncic, but after their first-round exit, the Lakers are set for their first full year with the All-Star duo. Most recently, t

he four-time champion had only praise for his latest running-mate. 

“I just love the way he approaches the game. I love the way he plays the game,” James said, speaking to Jason Gay of the Wall Street Journal.

 “More importantly, man, he’s just a great (expletive) guy.”

The Lakers, especially with James and Doncic, remain the NBA’s greatest soap opera. Now that it’s Doncic’s

 team going forward, the future of James, one of the best players to ever play the game, remains a mystery.