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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 21: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Houston Rockets during the second half of Game Two of the NBA Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 21, 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

At the end of the year, the Los Angeles Lakers will have to figure out the future of LeBron James. James will be a free agent at the end of the year, so he can go wherever he wants. The Lakers have been receptive to him returning, for the right price.

This season, James is making $52.6 million this season. He will not be able to make that much money if he wants to return to Los Angeles next year. A pay cut would need to happen for him to return. Still, it doesn’t look like retirement is on the table.

James’ agent, Rich Paul, recently talked about James’ future on Game Over and indicated he’s not going to retire.

LeBron James Has a Couple of Years Left According to His Agent

Paul claims that James has at least a couple of years left in the league before he retires.

“LeBron could play 5 more years. He could play at least 28 years in the NBA. Now, I personally think, and don’t kill me, Savannah, he should play 25 years. Because he definitely has at least two more years in him. I’m not so sure that the people, fans, we should be sitting here trying to push him out the league.”

James has not acted like he is going to retire at any point this season. He hasn’t asked for a retirement tour of sorts, although he claims that won’t happen at any point. Still, everyone knows that James loves attention, so that still might happen at some point.

While James’ stats this season were the worst they have been in his career, he has shown in the playoffs that he still has gas left in the tank. In the Game 2 victory over the Rockets, LeBron James had 28 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. He was the leading scorer in the game.

LeBron James’ Team Next Year is Up in the Air

It’s still unclear where James will end up playing next season. He is still a good player, but the Lakers look ready to move on if he doesn’t take a pay cut. The team is already built around Luka Doncic, as he is the future of the franchise. Other title contenders could pursue James.

The Cavaliers and Warriors are the two obvious teams that could make a run at James. Ending his career in Cleveland would be poetic. If the Cavs don’t win the title this year, they could blow up their team, as they are already in the second apron.

Golden State is desperate for one more run at a championship. Bringing James into a roster with Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler would be an aging core of guys, but that might be their best shot. James is the perfect third option on a championship-level team.