LeBron James Reportedly Could Weigh Lakers Exit After T-Wolves Loss amid NBA Rumors

Even though it's been assumed LeBron James will spend the remaining years of his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers, there is reportedly at least a possibility he could look to play for another organization.

According to The Athletic's Jovan Buha and Sam Amick, citing people close to James and Lakers team sources, they "would not rule that possibility out" of the future Hall of Famer potentially signing with another team this summer in pursuit of a championship:

"But if he decides to play longer and wants a Lakers extension to go along with that choice, then team sources say that conversation will begin with a familiar question: Is he still happy as a Laker?

"Ever since James came to town in 2018, his relationship with the organization has hinged on the answer to that question. If the answer is yes this time, then there’s a discussion to be had on that front. But if it’s not, then the prospect of him finishing his career elsewhere could be in play."

As has been tradition when the Lakers' season ends, James left open the possibility he could retire following their Game 5 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.

"I don't know. I don't have an answer to that," he told reporters when asked about his playing future. "Something I'll sit down with my family, my wife and my support group and kind of just talk through it and see what happens. And just have a conversation with myself on how long I want to continue to play. I don't know the answer to that right now, to be honest. So we'll see."

In the same press conference, James said "I got a lot to think about myself" when asked about the state of the Lakers roster and his $52.6 million player option for 2025-26.

ESPN's Dave McMenamin noted he spoke with James after the press conference, and his comments weren't necessarily about not wanting to play with the Lakers.

"Just continuing to play, I don't know where I'm at," James said. "That's what that is. Not coming back to play here. Just playing period."

There was one moment during the press conference that did stand out. It was when James got asked about the difficulty of playing with a true starting center after Anthony Davis was traded to the Dallas Mavericks as part of the Luka Dončić deal (starts at 6:50 mark).

James did end his answer with a laugh, so it could be interpreted as a lighthearted response. But history has shown he doesn't say or do anything in public by accident.

Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka seemed to be aware of James' comments. He said during his end-of-season press conference on Thursday that they will do "whatever we can" to meet roster expectations for the 40-year-old this summer.

Buha and Amick did note one thing that won't be on the table this summer, as opposed to last offseason, is a pay cut for James. His agent, Rich Paul, told McMenamin last June that James would consider signing for less than the max to open up the full midlevel exception if the Lakers could sign an "impact player."

Things didn't work for the Lakers to open up the full midlevel, though James still took a slight reduction in pay on a two-year, $101.3 million deal when he could have signed for up to $104 million.

Considering how much of James' life and businesses outside of basketball are based in the Los Angeles area, it would be a surprise if he left the Lakers.

If things don't play out how James wants with their roster construction this summer, or if he doesn't like the direction of the Lakers, maybe he would at least look into the possibility of playing for another team before his career comes to an end.