Windhorst Lists Potential LeBron James Landing Spots for Next Season amid Latest NBA Rumors
One of the biggest questions this season is whether the 2025-26 campaign will be LeBron James' last.
Perhaps the second biggest question is where he'll spend next season if he decides to play another year.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst gave some thoughts on The Rich Eisen Show on Wednesday. He said if James stays with the Los Angeles Lakers, he'd likely have to take a pay cut. If James decides to move on, Windhorst said the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors would "make sense."
Windhorst added that there is "a team or two" that he plans to keep his eye on and that James would have some "appetizing options."
James has been with the Lakers for eight years and has put down roots in Los Angeles, so it wouldn't be surprising if he decided to end his career there. However, Windhorst said the financial aspect could drive him away.
"If LeBron is determined to make the most money, it will probably not be with the Lakers," Windhorst said. "But, Pathway 2 is to stay with the Lakers for less money. How much less, a lot of variables we don't know yet."
James is playing on a $52.6 million player option this season. Considering he's 41 years old and far from his prime, it would be hard for the Lakers to justify giving him that kind of money next year, especially when they have two young stars in Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves to take care of financially for years to come.
Perhaps what will influence James' decision to stay with the Lakers or leave could be how close they get to winning a title this year. If Los Angeles faces another first-round exit, it's reasonable to think James would want to play for a different squad—assuming winning is his priority.
If the Lakers are in the mix for a championship this year, he'd probably be more willing to take a pay cut and stay with the Lakers next season.
For now, James will keep his focus on the 2025-26 season. He's play well despite his age, putting up 21.8 points, 6.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game as the Lakers sit in fifth place in the West at 32-21.
