Bronny’s arrival. Luka’s takeover. And the King’s legacy in motion.
LeBron James might technically be a free agent this summer, but don’t expect him to leave Los Angeles anytime soon.
Despite holding a $52.6 million player option for the 2025–26 season, the 40-year-old superstar is widely expected to stay with the Lakers. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the odds of LeBron walking away from the franchise, or the city, are extremely low.
“I would never cement it just because the Lakers are pivoting a little bit now, not a little bit, they’ve pivoted to Luka. And so that makes their medium-term future a little bit harder to predict,” Windhorst said.
“But LeBron has demonstrated repeatedly, time after time after time, his priority is to be a Laker and to live in Los Angeles. Unless the Lakers did something to him to change the way he feels about them, which is not their MO, I don’t see that happening.”
A Family Affair: Bronny Joins the Lakers
The Lakers made history this summer by drafting Bronny James with the 55th overall pick, setting up the first father-son duo in NBA history.
LeBron has been vocal for years about wanting to share the court with his son, and now that dream is officially a Laker storyline. There’s no clearer sign he’s staying put than the chance to wear the same jersey as Bronny.
Luka Dončić is Locked In
Meanwhile, Luka Dončić’s rise in Los Angeles has changed everything. Since arriving in a blockbuster trade for Anthony Davis, Luka has fully embraced the role of the Lakers’ new franchise cornerstone.
Sources say Luka is “committed long-term,” and the Lakers are building around him — hiring new performance staff and reshaping the roster with a title run in mind.
And LeBron? He sees the writing on the wall and he’s all for it.
“Luka’s got to decide for himself. He’s 26. I’m 40. I’m not going to be around much longer,” he said during a recent episode of Mind the Game.
Still Elite at 40 — Until the MCL Scare
LeBron’s 22nd season ended on a tough note — but not before he reminded everyone he’s still got it.
In Game 5 of the Lakers’ first-round series against Minnesota, LeBron suffered the first knee injury of his career — a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left leg after a collision with Donte DiVincenzo.
The 40-year-old played through it, finishing with 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, but later admitted he would’ve missed Games 6 and 7 had the Lakers advanced.
Even with the injury clouding his final game, LeBron posted 24.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and 8.2 APG across the regular season, and still managed 25.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game in the playoffs.
“It was a pain I hadn’t felt before,” he said. “My knee locked up.”
He’s now in recovery mode — and for the first time in 22 years, he has time to rest, reset, and figure out what comes next.
The Final Chapter… Is in L.A.
No farewell tour. No cryptic retirement talk. Just a man focused on family, health, and what’s next.
As the Lakers reload for another run, with JJ Redick in his second year as coach and Luka entering his prime, LeBron’s presence remains as valuable as ever, even if he’s no longer the centerpiece.