As the Los Angeles Lakers hand over the franchise’s future to Luka Dončić, longtime NBA insider Marc Stein believes the shift marks the likely end of LeBron James’ tenure in purple and gold.
In his latest report, published Friday, Stein said he expects James will not retire as a Laker. He cited the organization’s transition to building around Dončić, who was acquired in a blockbuster trade in February and is widely expected to sign a four-year, $229 million extension. Stein described the upcoming 2025–26 campaign as “LeBron’s last in Tinseltown,” barring a dramatic change in the team’s trajectory.
“It’s pretty clear at this juncture that the Lakers have launched the Luka Dončić Era,” Stein wrote. “If James doesn’t want retirement forced upon him, as one suspects, that almost certainly means he would have to find a new team next summer.”
Los Angeles Lakers Prioritize Luka Dončić
James, 40, exercised his $52.6 million player option to return for his 23rd NBA season — an all-time record. He and the organization remain aligned on their pursuit of a championship, but both sides understand the underlying tension: balancing the desire to win now with the long-term need to hand over control to a younger superstar.
That pivot, according to Stein, makes it increasingly likely that James will seek a new team in free agency after the 2025–26 season if he intends to continue playing. While Stein clarified that he is not basing this forecast on direct knowledge of James’ private plans, he cited the Lakers’ internal direction and James’ competitive nature as key factors.
“By saying what I just said in the previous paragraph, it means that I expect him to retire in a uniform that isn’t purple and gold,” Stein noted.
LeBron James Weighs Final Years Amid Uncertainty
The Lakers’ front office has reportedly prioritized building a contending roster around Dončić, and while James respects the move, multiple outlets have reported that he was unsettled by how abruptly the transition occurred.
Rich Paul, James’ longtime agent, has stated publicly that LeBron values his time with the Lakers, but his top priority remains maximizing the final chapters of his career and competing for championships. If the Lakers fall short of contention this season — or continue to shape the roster primarily around Dončić — James could be headed elsewhere.
The destination remains unknown, and the possibility of retirement isn’t entirely off the table. But unless something changes within the Lakers’ timeline, the 2025–26 season appears to be shaping up as LeBron James’ farewell tour in Los Angeles.
