Lebron On the Move? King James Gears Up for Year 23

Joel Piton
7 days ago
3 min read

LeBron James has officially exercised his $52.6 million player option for the 2024-25 season, setting the stage for a historic 23rd year in the NBA—a league record. Confirmed by his agent Rich Paul on Sunday, the move keeps LeBron on track to surpass Robert Parish for most games played (he’s just 50 away) and extend his all-time scoring lead, where he's already 4,000 points ahead of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. But while the numbers are legendary, the distance between him and another chip remains uncertain. At 40 years old with limited mileage left, LeBron’s priority is winning—and if the Lakers can’t provide a championship-caliber roster, he may not feel compelled to finish the ride in L.A. After back-to-back first-round exits and a failed Luka-duo run in Minnesota, the King is keeping his options open in pursuit of one final crown.

Historically, LeBron James has opted out of player options only to renegotiate fresh terms with the Lakers shortly after. But this time, there was no talk of an extension—no multi-year safety net. Father Time is creeping up. This is shaping up to be an all-or-nothing season for LeBron, and possibly his last. “LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” his agent Rich Paul told reporters. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all." While the Lakers were a playoff team, there was a lot missing from squad that was glaring in the postseason, most notably the lack of the true big man fans were begging for all season long—no shade Hayes. With the Mark Williams trade vetoed, the Lakers frontcourt noticeably struggled.

Still, let’s be real: Could LeBron truly be eyeing a move away from the league’s most iconic franchise—especially after orchestrating his own flesh and blood to get drafted by the ball club and play alongside him? While the Lakers appear to be positioning themselves to build around Luka Doncic, investing in a long-term core that can shine for the next decade, the question becomes: is LeBron still compatible with what Lakers basketball is becoming? According to Rich Paul, there have been no head-to-head trade talks. But insiders like Shams Charania have suggested that LeBron’s commitment to L.A. may be more uncertain than ever.

So, where could LeBron even go? Let’s be honest—there aren’t many teams that would gut their core just to build around a 40-year-old. But if any franchise were bold enough to roll the dice, insiders suggest it would likely be a California-based team. The Clippers are a compelling option, though it would likely cost them either Kawhi or Harden. In a dream scenario where all three remain—LeBron, Kawhi, and Harden—that squad instantly becomes a problem for the rest of the league. Then there’s the long-rumored pairing of LeBron and Steph Curry, a superteam fantasy born out of their legendary Finals clashes. On paper, a starting five featuring LeBron, Steph, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green would be the oldest in the league—but each still has plenty of gas left in the tank.

As for the Kings? LeBron once dismissed the idea back in 2018, but that was before Zach LaVine became a perennial 20-point scorer and DeRozan had already landed in San Antonio. Ironically, both LaVine and DeRozan now find themselves tangled in a $57 million trade web, and their futures in Sacramento are anything but certain. The bottom line: if LeBron is questioning the Lakers’ ability to contend, these home-state alternatives—each with different playing styles and potential—could force a serious decision.

No matter what happens next, the fan reaction will be polarizing. Some will celebrate the idea of LeBron chasing one last ring elsewhere, while others will see it as a disappointing end to his storied Lakers chapter. Regardless, we should all take a moment to appreciate the fact that King James is still lacing them up—more than two decades after being crowned the chosen one. Truthfully, the perfect ending to James' career might've already slipped away. A championship run in Los Angeles alongside Luka could’ve sealed the fairytale. But that door may be closing fast. Can the Lakers turn their luck around? (As a devout Celtics fan, I'm suffice to say: I hope not). Either way, the story isn't over just yet: it's just getting started.