New LeBron James Rumors on Lakers Future as Chance of Earning $50M FA Contract is 'Gone'

All signs point to LeBron James returning for another NBA season, but the question of where he'll play still remains unanswered.

ESPN's Ramona Shelburne offered some insight on NBA Today on Monday, saying that James could be back with the Los Angeles Lakers if he's willing to take a pay cut.

"The sense I have is that this idea of playing for $50 million anywhere is probably gone, but if he's willing to play for less, if that fits with what they're trying to do, I think that door is open," Shelburne said (13:45 in video below).

While James said at the NBA All-Star break that he was unsure about whether he'd play or retire next season, ESPN's Shams Charania reported earlier this month that the "feeling around LeBron James around the league is he's going to at least one more season."

James certainly looks capable of playing another year and then some. The 41-year-old is putting up 21.1 points, 6.8 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game, serving as a key contributor for a Lakers team that looks like a legitimate threat to make a Finals run.

While James may be defying Father Time and playing a level that seems inconceivable for his age, to say that he's currently overpaid wouldn't be a stretch. He's playing on a player option worth $52.6 million, the 13th-highest salary this season.

The Lakers are projected to have enough cap space to sign a player to a max deal this offseason, but the wiser move would be to use that money to extend rising star Austin Reaves. The 27-year-old is putting up 23.5 points and 5.5 assists per game this year, marking the best statistical season of his career. He has a player option for the 2026-27 campaign worth $14.8 million.

If he doesn't return to Los Angeles, James has been linked to his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, as well as the Golden State Warriors. While both of those teams could make sense for James, perhaps the most logical option would be taking a pay cut to stay in Los Angeles.