LeBron James is entering what might be the closing chapter of his extraordinary NBA career amid ongoing uncertainty about his future with the Los Angeles Lakers. At 40 years old, the question remains whether James will stay in L.A. for one final championship pursuit or explore opportunities elsewhere.
Udonis Haslem, a former Miami Heat teammate and three-time NBA champion, recently addressed James’ possible departure from the Lakers. Haslem believes if this is James’ final NBA stint, the star will want to be in a setting where he feels comfortable, enjoys the experience, and most importantly, has a strong chance to win another title.
He could definitely end it elsewhere. If this is his last go-around, I think he wants to be comfortable, he wants to enjoy it, he wants to put himself in a situation, most importantly, to win a championship,
Haslem said.
Haslem also pointed out that James has been closely evaluating the Lakers’ roster moves this off-season, especially the team’s approach to strengthening their center position. That position is crucial to maximizing James’ talents and complementing players like Luka, who benefits from improved spacing and the ability to finish plays on the rim.
That was the big thing for him this summer, looking at what moves they were going to make, the pieces, the center situation, which is huge for unlocking him and Luka, who can get to the rim, catch those lobs, vertical spacing, open up everything. If he can put himself in that situation in another organization, I think he will explore that.
For the 2025-26 season, James has opted into his $52.6 million player option, confirming he will remain with the Lakers for at least another year. Over an unprecedented 23-season career, James has set numerous records, including becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. He boasts four MVP awards, four Finals MVP honors, four championships, 21 All-Star selections, and 13 First-Team All-NBA nods.
Despite this illustrious resume, speculation about James’ future has been persistent throughout the summer. Reports surfaced in June that four teams had quietly explored potential trade options involving James, although none advanced to formal negotiations.
Further fueling rumors, James was recently seen at the Cleveland Cavaliers’ practice facility, sparking talk of a possible return. However, James clarified on social media that his visit was part of his offseason training routine, not an indication of a move.
LeBron’s agent, Rich Paul, emphasized that James remains focused on contending for a championship and is carefully assessing how the Lakers are building their roster around him. The Lakers face significant pressure to assemble a competitive lineup immediately should James stay. Conversely, if James opts to leave, it would mark one of the most impactful shifts in NBA history.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does LeBron James sleep 12 hours?
A. Professional athletes use up more energy than regular people, so they often rest for over the suggested 8 hours. For example, LeBron James typically sleeps around 12 hours each night. This is notable since top athletes frequently travel for games, which makes it tough to sleep well.