Before discussing where LeBron James might fit into the future plans of the Lakers, president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka and the franchise intend to “honor” the 41-year-old by giving him time and space to determine his own intentions for a possible 24th NBA season.
“We probably haven’t seen a player that has honored the game to the extent that he’s honored the game. He’s given so much to his teammates, to this organization, and the thing we want to do more than anything else is to honor him back,” Pelinka said Tuesday. “The first order of business there is allowing him the time he needs to decide what his next steps are. Does he want to play another year in the NBA? That will be family time, time with his inner circle.”
The Lakers were steamrolled out of the second round of the playoffs in a 4-0 sweep at the hands of the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
What’s next for James is one of the key storylines for Pelinka and the Lakers to resolve, but the team has Luka Doncic — who missed the playoffs with a hamstring injury — under contract through 2027-28 with a $57.4 million player option for 2028-29.
James, the league’s all-time leading scorer, can opt for unrestricted free agency, retire or request a sign-and-trade deal to move on from the Lakers after eight seasons with the team. James signed with the Lakers before the 2018-19 season following his second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“What my future (holds), I don’t know, obviously,” James said Monday night. “I mean, this is obviously still fresh from obviously losing and I don’t know. I mean, I don’t know what the future holds for me obviously as it stands right now tonight.
“I got a lot of time to sit back like I think I said last year after we lost, I think to Minnesota, to go back and recalibrate with my family and talk with them and spend some time with them and then when the time comes, I’ll obviously you guys will know what I decide to do.”
Austin Reaves can also exit, a potentially more painful departure for the Lakers given the future ahead of the 27-year-old signed by Pelinka as an undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma. Reaves has a player option worth $14.9 million, far below his current market value.
“He started his NBA odyssey with the Lakers in a pre-draft workout,” Pelinka said recalling the workout at the team facility. “He started his journey here as a Laker. He has made it very clear to us he wants to continue his journey as a Laker. We feel the same way. … Both sides have made it abundantly clear we want to work something out where he finishes his career here.”
James was selected to his 22nd consecutive All-Star Game as he thrived in an unfamiliar role for much of the season. Doncic was the Lakers’ top offensive threat, and he led the league with an average of 33.5 points per game. Reaves ranked second on the team at 23.3 ppg, with James third at 20.9 ppg.
