Lakers Could Lose LeBron James Over Shocking Decision - Report

Lakers Could Lose LeBron James Over Shocking Decision - Report originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Los Angeles Lakers set the first building block for the post-LeBron James era last season.

Trading for Luka Doncic may not have been in the plans, but whenever a player of his caliber becomes available, you just have to pull the trigger.

That's why the Lakers may have chosen to pivot from LeBron and are trying to preserve cap space for next year.

According to ESPN insider Brian Windhorst, the Lakers are operating as a team trying to focus on next year's free agency, even if that doesn't include LeBron:

“I know some people have been talking about the Lakers looking at 2027 as like a big free agent year. Well, their actions are indicating that they're also eyeing 2026,” Windhorst said on The Hoops Collective. 

Windhorst continued his case by stating that the Lakers never asked James for additional years in their contract talks.

As such, James' decision to pick up his player option for next season as opposed to opting out and signing a two-year deal with them might not be what he initially planned:

“But, you know, like they didn't, you know, everybody's got their story. You know, the LeBron James side is very clear that they didn't ask for extra years. I'm skeptical of that. Whether they asked for it or whether they wanted it are two different thing," Windhorst said. "So, you know, there's this whole term about offer and ask and all this stuff, but long story short, the Lakers don't have LeBron under contract for next year, and then the contracts that they have signed are, um, protecting next year's money already.”

A rare @WindhorstESPN bad hair day edition of The Hoop Collective: VJ Edgecombe vs. Ace Bailey and other early summer league action, Denver’s backup big drama, cap nerd stuff, Kyrie’s plea for patience, etc. @TimBontempshttps://t.co/tLpYAYJ44o

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) July 7, 2025

James and his agent, Rich Paul, put pressure on Rob Pelinka to put together a championship-caliber roster this offseason. Otherwise, he might want to reconsider his future with the team.

Even so, it seems like the Lakers are already gearing up to lose him, and they might be just fine with it.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.