Windy thinks James will likely retire as a Laker, even though the team’s medium-term future is hard to predict.
Despite continuing to play at an elite level at age 40, whispers are already circulating about the twilight of LeBron James‘ illustrious career and where he’ll be when the bell tolls for him.
Many experts and analysts have weighed in on the topic. Still, Brian Windhorst, who has covered “The King’s” career since his high school days at St. Vincent-St. Mary in Akron, Ohio, surmised that James will likely end his career in Los Angeles with the Lakers.
At home in L.A.
Despite posting impressive averages of 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game this season, LeBron is no longer the unstoppable force on the court he once was.
So, the big question on everyone’s mind, apart from when he decides to hang his sneakers up for good, is where he will do it. According to Windy, Bron is already right where he feels most comfortable: Los Angeles.
Brian Windhorst thinks LeBron James will end his career in L.A.: “I would never cement it just because the Lakers are pivoting a little”
Despite continuing to play at an elite level at age 40, whispers are already circulating about the twilight of LeBron James‘ illustrious career and where he’ll be when the bell tolls for him.
Many experts and analysts have weighed in on the topic. Still, Brian Windhorst, who has covered “The King’s” career since his high school days at St. Vincent-St. Mary in Akron, Ohio, surmised that James will likely end his career in Los Angeles with the Lakers.
At home in L.A.
Despite posting impressive averages of 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game this season, LeBron is no longer the unstoppable force on the court he once was.
So, the big question on everyone’s mind, apart from when he decides to hang his sneakers up for good, is where he will do it. According to Windy, Bron is already right where he feels most comfortable: Los Angeles.
“LeBron has demonstrated — repeatedly — time after time after time, his priority is to be a Laker and to live in Los Angeles,” Windhorst said on “The Dan Patrick Show.”
“So I don’t — you know, unless the Lakers did something to him to change the way he feels about them — which is not their MO, the Lakers franchise has invested in — in almost more than anything else — invested in taking care of superstars, essentially their brand — I don’t see that happening,” he added.
The Lakers franchise, indeed, has a history of chasing superstars and keeping them.
Magic Johnson spent his entire 13-year career playing for the Purple and Gold. The same goes for Kobe Bryant, who spent two decades playing for the Buss family’s NBA franchise. In fact, despite being a shell of his former self after suffering a career-altering Achilles tendon tear, the Lakers’ front office still gave Bryant a two-year deal in 2014 that paid him $48.5 million.
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Lakers are pivoting to the Doncic era
LeBron has yet to decide on his player option, worth $52.6 million for the 2025-26 season, although all signs point to him declining it to negotiate and sign a new deal. Despite that, Windhorst says the Lakers will likely still find a way to retain the 21-time All-Star and keep him alongside Luka Doncic.
L.A. acquired “Luka Magic” in a blockbuster deal in early February that sent away longtime big man Anthony Davis. With Luka in town, the Lakers already have their building block for the future, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t keen on keeping LBJ.
“LeBron, you know, high probability of Lakers. 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 explained. “But um, yes, I think that’s — that’s very likely where we’re headed.”
Windy’s prediction that LeBron would remain with the Lakers and eventually retire in L.A. could very well come to fruition. At the same time, his presence on the team creates a conundrum.
With so many resources allocated to Doncic and James, the Lakers have little room to make significant roster changes — something they desperately need after getting smacked by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
