ESPN in-depth article reveals: Four paths lie ahead of LeBron James — which will he choose?

On October 10th Beijing time, ESPN explored LeBron James' upcoming decisions, highlighting four routes available to the Lakers icon. Which path will he ultimately follow?

Last week, the Lakers' preseason opener took place in Palm Springs, California. An hour before the game, the only signs of LeBron’s presence in the locker room were two items: a golden No. 23 jersey hanging in the locker, and a triangular foam cushion placed on the seat beneath the jersey.

That night, the jersey wasn’t needed, but the cushion proved very useful.

Among the 42 players listed for the Lakers and Suns training camps, 22 were born after 2000, 19 after 1990, and LeBron alone was born in 1984 — making him five months older than Suns head coach Jordan Altman.

According to Lakers coach Darvin Ham, 40-year-old LeBron only participated in light shooting drills during the first three days of training camp due to hip nerve discomfort, ultimately sitting out the preseason game. Yet that cushion stayed busy all evening—whether on his locker room seat or at the end of the bench during the game, it was always by his side.

Later, LeBron appeared in the locker room wearing a T-shirt featuring his latest Nike slogan, "Forever King." A reporter asked if he was ready to start his unprecedented 23rd NBA season.

Before LeBron could answer, Lakers guard Austin Reaves interjected, "You can still play at least five more seasons."

LeBron’s eyes lit up and a smile spread across his face.

The reporter continued, "Why not play six or seven more seasons, maybe even 30 seasons?"

Reaves added, "Yeah, set another record!"

LeBron turned to Reaves with a smile and said, "I already have records."

Indeed, out of roughly 5,000 players in NBA history, LeBron is the only one to have played across 23 seasons.

For 22 years, LeBron has managed his career masterfully, but now the "most advantageous choice" and the "practical option" might be at odds.

Here are four possible directions LeBron’s career might take this season —

Option one: Finish the 2025-26 season and retire as a Laker

LeBron’s time with the Lakers has been plagued by injuries—missing 124 games over seven seasons, compared to just 71 missed in his first 15 years. The Lakers have seen four head coaches and mixed success in trades and signings, but also moments of triumph.

In 2020, the Lakers won the championship, making LeBron the first player in NBA history to win Finals MVP with three different teams; in 2023, he surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, celebrated with a grand ceremony by the Lakers; in 2024, the Lakers used the 55th pick to draft Bronny, fulfilling LeBron’s previously stated “final goal” to ESPN — “I want to play on the court with my son.”

A few months before the 2024 draft, the Warriors inquired about trading for LeBron, but the Lakers clearly declined. After rumors died down, LeBron reaffirmed his commitment to the Lakers: “I’m a Laker. I’ve been happy here for six years, and I hope it stays that way.”

Lakers President of Basketball Operations and GM Rob Pelinka recently stated at the season opener press conference, “We very much want LeBron’s career to end as a Laker. That would be a beautiful story.”

Though multiple sources close to LeBron told ESPN that his career endpoint remains uncertain, if he still wants to play and the Lakers can assemble the strongest possible roster this season, it might strengthen his desire to stay and retire as a Laker.

This season, the Lakers can trade first-round picks in 2031 or 2032 and have five first-round pick swap rights in trades. But if LeBron plans to leave, the team might hesitate to use these assets to build a championship roster around Luka Doncic and LeBron.

To gauge whether LeBron might retire, a few details are worth noting:

In Nike’s “Forever King” ad, the narrator speaks of LeBron’s career in past tense — “They called him ‘The Chosen One’… we were all witnesses.”

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ “classic edition” jerseys this season match the style LeBron wore as a rookie in 2003-04.

The NBA schedule has the Lakers’ first home game and last away game this season both against the Warriors led by Stephen Curry — a perfect farewell if this truly is LeBron’s final season, marking the goodbye of two iconic players of the era.

After media day, LeBron posted a highlight reel on Instagram set to Lenny Kravitz’s “It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over,” possibly hinting that his career is nearing its end.

Option two: Finish the 2025-26 season and re-sign with the Lakers

Pelinka’s comments about LeBron retiring as a Laker sidestepped the real question from reporters: whether the Lakers intend to re-sign him in summer 2026.

NBA salary expert Bobby Marks revealed the Lakers expect about $50 million in cap space next season. If LeBron seeks a max contract, he would consume that entire space. For 2026-27, LeBron is eligible for a three-year, $188 million deal starting at $58.1 million.

Though LeBron’s longevity exceeds expectations, a practical question remains: can his career timeline align with the team’s other core players, both around 25 years old?

Sources told ESPN that Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves enjoy playing alongside LeBron and want to maintain the partnership. Neither has asked LeBron about retirement plans, respecting his personal pace.

Luka has idolized LeBron since childhood and values their collaboration, seeing LeBron as crucial to the Lakers’ current championship hopes. He is unafraid of the attention or pressure that comes with partnering with a soon-to-retire legend — his rookie year coincided with Dirk Nowitzki’s farewell season in Dallas, which Luka considers invaluable.

Furthermore, if the Lakers win the championship this season (LeBron’s fifth), will he view it as the perfect ending or choose to stay and defend for a sixth title, tying Michael Jordan’s record?

Option three: Start the 2025-26 season as a Laker, then request a trade or buyout in January or February

In June, Chris Paul told ESPN that LeBron’s primary goal late in his career is to win a championship.

This means if the Lakers struggle this season—due to injuries, roster fit, or insufficient strength to compete in the tough Western Conference—LeBron might opt to leave.

Since LeBron’s contract includes a no-trade clause, any trade requires his approval to proceed.

However, suitable destinations are limited:

The Cleveland Cavaliers (possibly a second or final “homecoming”): According to Marks, the Cavs would need to send nearly $90 million in salary to match a trade, and because they cannot exceed the “second luxury tax line” in trades involving LeBron, multiple teams would have to be involved.

If LeBron reaches a buyout with the Lakers, the Cavs cannot sign him due to luxury tax restrictions; similarly, the Warriors and New York Knicks would also be ineligible to sign him under those conditions.

Dallas Mavericks: LeBron once won a championship alongside Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, and maintains close relationships with coach Jason Kidd and staff. Marks notes the Mavs would also need to send significant salary to match a trade, currently exceed the “second luxury tax line,” and would have to clear $12 million in salary without receiving any players to be a buyout destination for LeBron.

Option four: Finish the 2025-26 season and join another team as a free agent

By summer 2026, about 10 teams are expected to have sufficient cap space, including the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers, and Chicago Bulls, potentially creating unforeseen signing opportunities.

However, moving away from Southern California would be a major life change for LeBron — his wife Savannah and daughter Zhuri live locally, son Bronny is under contract with the Lakers, and son Bryce plays at the University of Arizona, a short flight away.

Additionally, the 2026 free-agent market may include superstars like Kevin Durant, Trae Young, James Harden, as well as strong players like Reaves, Draymond Green, Bradley Beal, Norman Powell, and Kobe White — meaning LeBron might not receive league-wide pursuit.

For now, LeBron’s future remains uncertain. Will his 23rd season mark the “final countdown” or serve as a “bridge” to a 24th season or beyond? Will he decide for himself, or will his body decide for him? All remains unknown.

“Everyone is trying to figure out when he’ll retire, but the truth is, no one really knows,” a source close to LeBron told ESPN.

LeBron himself says he isn’t worried about the future: “I don’t dwell on yesterday or obsess over what’s next; the present is what matters most… Like I said, I don’t know when the end will come, but I know it won’t be as long as ‘The Godfather Part II.’ So, I have to focus on now.”