NBA superstar LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers becomes an unrestricted free agent next offseason for the first time since 2018. The basketball legend will make $52.6 million next season in the final year of his contract.
When LeBron hits free agency next offseason, one NBA executive expects the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors to pursue him.
“Cleveland, Dallas and Golden State, those are the three teams I’m looking at,” an NBA executive told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “All three would have loved to trade for him this offseason, but he never requested a trade and he makes way too much money. Once he’s on the open market, those three will court him. I have no doubt in my mind.”
LeBron turns 41 in December. He’s the oldest active player in the NBA. It’s unknown if the Akron native plans to play in 2026-27.
The leading scorer of all time, LeBron has ties to the Cavaliers, Mavericks and Warriors. He grew up in Ohio and has played for Cleveland twice, played and won a title with Dallas stars Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis and is friends with Golden State champions Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.
The Warriors tried to trade for LeBron during the 2023-24 season, but the Lakers weren’t interested in making a deal.
A four-time champion, LeBron has played for the Cavaliers (twice), Miami Heat and Lakers. He enters next season with career averages of 27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks. The four-time MVP and four-time Finals MVP is the only player in NBA history to rank top five all-time in points and assists.
It will be fascinating to see if LeBron retires after next season or chooses to play in 2026-27. The sports icon has been in the NBA since 2003. He averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.6 blocks for the Lakers last season.