It was announced on Sunday that LeBron James was exercising the player option on his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, ensuring that he’ll play a 23rd season in the NBA. But the report came with a caveat, which has those around the league wondering if he’ll ask the team to trade him before the 2025-26 season.
LeBron James Opts In, But Monitoring Lakers Situation Closely
If he does demand to be dealt, it is obvious that he should have an Eastern Conference team as his target destination.
LeBron James will earn $52.6 million during the upcoming season thanks to the player option. While it rules out retirement, it certainly doesn’t guarantee that he’ll be playing in Los Angeles. At the same time that the extension was announced, his representation had some comments that could leave the door open to James leaving the Lakers.
LeBron wants to compete for a championship next season but is "uncertain" of the Lakers roster moving forward, per @ShamsCharania 😳
He is "evaluating" how he wants to end his career
Full story here: https://t.co/FyoMqzE5PY pic.twitter.com/vBEUMSHh0N
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 29, 2025
“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” said Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul. “We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career.”
It certainly doesn’t sound like an outright vote of confidence in the Lakers’ front office. The extended version of the quote seems to suggest that James and his camp will be monitoring the moves that Los Angeles makes over the next couple of weeks, whether it be in free agency or via trades.
And if he doesn’t like what he sees, he may look to finish out his career elsewhere.
Could James Take His Talents To The Eastern Conference?
Where would LeBron James want to play his 23rd season? It would stand to reason that he would choose a team in the Eastern Conference.
Even without injuries ravaging the current landscape, the East is clearly the inferior half of the NBA. A solid percentage of the star power is in the Western Conference, and the 2025-26 campaign figures to be a bloodbath between the powerhouses at the top of the standings.
Teams like the Thunder, Timberwolves, Nuggets, and Rockets will all be vying for the top seeds, and the Warriors and Clippers are still in championship consideration.
🚨 Shams says LeBron could request a trade
“I’m told LeBron wants to compete for a championship next season and is uncertain about the Lakers roster moving forward” pic.twitter.com/RABeBuHXD1
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) June 29, 2025
The story is not the same in the East. The conference appears to be wide open with no clear favorite or even dominant team, and the major injuries have come to some of its teams. The Pacers, Celtics, and Bucks will each be without one of their star players for essentially the entire season, and there are serious questions about whether the Cavaliers can repeat last year’s regular season success.
The New York Knicks Could Be A Viable Option
So if LeBron James leaves LA, perhaps it should be to a team like the New York Knicks. Jalen Brunson and company were one of the top teams in the East last season, and appear to be a piece or two away from being legit championship contenders. The presence of James could be just the kind of addition that they are looking for, and the greatest player of our generation could finally play his home games inside Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks would likely become instant favorites to win the Eastern Conference, and James would be on the path to his first NBA Finals appearance since 2020.
The free agency period will begin on Monday at 6PM Eastern. The Lakers will officially be on the clock.
