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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

There it is. Just like that. The Los Angeles Lakers’ 2025-26 season has come to an unceremonious end. 

The Lakers were dealt a 110-115 loss in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals, sweeping them out of the playoffs for the second time in four seasons.

Los Angeles went from making history in the first round to watching history in the second round. 

It became the first team to win a playoff series without its leading scorer; then it became the first LeBron James team to be swept in the second round. 

The door has swung wide open to an offseason full of possibilities. The Lakers have multiple crucial decisions to make, ones that will directly affect the immediate and long-term future of the franchise. 

Given his name and stature, James will see the brightest, harshest spotlight again this summer. 

People want to know if he is prepared to take a giant pay cut or move to another team.

Or move out of the NBA. Once and for all. 

L.A. Receives Harsh LeBron James Take After Round 2 Sweep

It is hard to mention James without lavishing him with praise first. Many will agree James proved once again how dominant he can be despite being the oldest player in the NBA.

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He led the Lakers in scoring in the first round. Against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the defending NBA champions, in the next round, he fought valiantly, had moments where he went bucket-for-bucket with soon-to-be announced league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and often outplayed his 27-year-old star teammate Austin Reaves.

But something else can also be true, according to Bill Plasche of the Los Angeles Times, who argues the time has come for the Lakers to move past James and to the future.

“When James becomes a free agent this summer after his $52.6-million deal expires, the Lakers should not offer him a similar contract, a greatly reduced contract, or any kind of contract,” Plaschke wrote in a subscriber-only post. “If he wants to retire, show him the love. If he wants to keep playing, show him the door.”

Plaschke References Kobe Bryant, Says James Hasn’t Earned Same Loyalty Treatment

Some would argue the Lakers should retain James in a gesture to cherish his legacy and the eight years of his career he has devoted to the franchise. 

But Plaschke argues James hasn’t earned the same merrit of Kobe Bryant, who stayed a Laker in his final seasons despite all the losing the team was going through.

“But he never endeared himself to fans longing for another Kobe Bryant, his cryptic passive-aggressive behavior always making it seem as if he had one foot out the door,” Plaschke wrote. “And now that the tread on those tires is thin, and the gas in that tank is approaching empty, the Lakers should not feel compelled to give him the sweetheart retirement contract they gave Bryant.”

As he has in the last few years to start the offseason, James will likely take a few weeks before he makes his next move known. 

James, of course, came to Los Angeles in 2018 for many reasons outside of basketball. 

It is difficult to picture the 41-year-old choosing to change teams at this stage of his career considering his many thriving endeavors off the court that have their roots in Los Angeles. 

Will it be about maintaining lifestyle? Maximizing earnings? Something else? 

No one can say for certain yet.