LeBron James' Mindset on Potential Lakers Contract in Free Agency Detailed in New NBA Rumors

Some sources close to LeBron James feel the Los Angeles Lakers are in control of whether or not the NBA's all-time leading scorer returns for another season in L.A., ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported Wednesday.

McMenamin reported that sources believed James felt taken for granted by the Lakers at points throughout the 2025-26 season, during which he took on a third-string role behind Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.

James then led the Lakers to the second round while missing Reaves for most of the first round and Dončić for the entirety of the playoffs.

Getting James to sign another contract with the Lakers will depend on the tone of negotiations in addition to the money offered, according to McMenamin.

"A source familiar with James' thinking told ESPN that the Lakers' approach in how they show their interest in retaining him will be a factor, beyond the simple dollar amount," McMenamin reported.

According to McMenamin, one person "close to James" who was in attendance at the Lakers' elimination loss to the visiting Thunder on Monday said: "I think it's up to the Lakers. He loves it in L.A."

The Lakers' relationship with James was reportedly tested by the franchise's decision to acquire Dončić in February 2025, then make it clear upon extending him that Dončić would be the face of the franchise going forward.

One source close to James referred to that period as the Lakers trying to "push [James] out the door," per McMenamin.

ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst reported in July the Lakers hadn't offered an extension to James before he activated his $52.6 million player option for this season.

James previously displayed a willingness to sign for less than the max in Los Angeles when he left $2.7 million on the table with the last deal he signed with the team in 2024.

The Lakers may need some similar flexibility from James this offseason as the team heads into the summer with what Spotrac projects is about $101.5 million in space below the first apron but with players including James, Reaves and Rui Hachimura unsigned.

How general manager Rob Pelinka and coach J.J. Redick approach offseason talks with James could impact how willing the superstar is to help the Lakers manage their cap restrictions this summer.

Should James ultimately look to leave Los Angeles, league insiders speaking to McMenamin and ESPN's Tim Bontemps in March named the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers as potential destinations.