NBA reporter Jovan Buha, who covers the Los Angeles Lakers for The Athletic, thinks LeBron James will play for the LakeShow next season.
LeBron can become an unrestricted free agent this summer and leave the Lakers if he declines his 2024-25 player option, but Buha doesn’t believe that will happen.
“He has roots here in LA,” Buha said on the HoopsHype podcast with Michael Scotto. “His other son, Bryce, is playing in high school out here and his family is out here in LA. You’d be giving up money and a lifestyle to go somewhere else and try to win a fifth ring. Overall, handicapping it, I think he’s going to be here and stay in LA.”
LeBron signed a two-year, $99 million extension with the Lakers in August 2022. The four-time MVP and four-time champion is making $47.6 million this season.
LeBron wants to play with his son, Bronny, in the NBA. Bronny is eligible for the 2024 draft. LeBron can decline his 2024-25 player option with the Lakers and sign with the team Bronny gets drafted by.
“There are two paths I can see (LeBron and Bronny playing together). It’s Bronny being drafted elsewhere and LeBron wanting to join that team,” Buha said. “Or, the Lakers stand pat at the deadline, the season goes haywire, they miss the Play-In Tournament or make the Play-In Tournament but not the playoffs, and LeBron asks if he can win a championship here? That still matters to him. He wants to compete for championships. He’s looking for his fifth ring.”
LeBron is averaging 24.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.6 blocks this season while shooting 52.0% from the floor, 39.1% from 3 and 74.0% from the free-throw line. He’s still one of the best players in the NBA despite being the oldest player in the league.
According to NBA insider Dave McMenamin of ESPN, the Lakers have not spoken to LeBron’s camp about his future plans.
LeBron joined the Lakers in the summer of 2018 as an unrestricted free agent. He guided LAL to the 2020 championship over the Miami Heat in six games at the Walt Disney World bubble. LeBron, 39, is averaging 27.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.7 blocks with the Lakers.
