Lakers Get Major Update on LeBron James' Future From Insider

Sep 29, 2025; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during media day at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers have received an ominous update on 21-time All-Star power forward LeBron James' future.

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During a conversation with comedians Andrew Schulz, Akaash Singh, Mark Gagnon, & AlexxMedia on their podcast "Flagrant Army" (via Legion Hoops), ESPN insider Shams Charania hinted that the four-time league MVP might jump ship via trade (he has a no-trade clause, meaning he would have to sign off on any deal) before the end of the season.

Shams Charania:

“We still don’t know where LeBron is gonna be… I still think it’s very much up in the air… I don’t think he knows exactly how the end is going to play out. Could it be with the Lakers? Sure, but he’s a free agent.”

(via @Flagrant2Army)pic.twitter.com/JjDuL0m7f1

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) October 31, 2025

“We still don’t know where LeBron is gonna be. Is he gonna finish his career with the Lakers, or is he gonna be somewhere else? I think it’s very much up in the air," Charania offered. "I'm not sure that he knows exactly how the end is going to play out. Could it be with the Lakers? Sure, but he’s a free agent at the end of the season. So if he's going to continue to play, there's clearly a chance he's [going to wind up] somewhere else.”

After failing to come to terms with the Lakers on a new contract over the summer, James now finds himself on an expiring $52.6 million deal.

The 6-foot-9 superstar, who's the league's oldest active player at age 40, has missed all of LA's first six regular season contests (and all six of the team's preseason bouts) with a sciatica injury afflicting his lower back and right side.

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But he proved he could still absolutely bring it during the 2024-24 regular season, averaging 24.4 points on .513/.376/.782 shooting splits, 8.2 assists, 7.8 boards, 1.0 steals and 0.6 blocks in his 70 healthy games.

James in Unfamiliar Territory

Still, the four-time league MVP finds himself in a unique position with Los Angeles: already not the most important piece for the team's future thanks to the arrival of 26-year-old All-NBA First Team guard Luka Doncic, he may not even be the second-most important piece.

That's how dramatic the rise of Lakers guard Austin Reaves has been. The 6-foot-5 pro, 27, could also reach free agency next summer, as he has significantly outplayed his expiring $14.9 million contract for the 2025-26 NBA season. Retaining him suddenly looks more important than holding on to James.

For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.