While many people expect LeBron James to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers next season, one can never be sure with him. He has a player option on his contract for the 2025-26 campaign, and after the Lakers were eliminated from the NBA playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves, he didn’t give an answer as far as what his basketball future will look like.

There are some whispers that he could opt out and sign with another team or even ask to be traded this summer, possibly to the Cleveland Cavaliers, his original team. But Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe, one of James’ biggest backers in the media, seems confident the superstar will end his career with the Lakers.

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Sharpe explained why during an episode of his podcast “Nightcap.”

“He [James] loves everything about L.A. Savannah (his wife) loves everything about L.A.

“… I don’t believe he goes back… Go back and do what? You playing with Luka [Doncic].”

“… I think LeBron really loves the Lakers, I really think he loves living in L.A. I think he loves all things L.A. The weather is nice year-round. He doesn’t really have to have an overcoat.”

“… You got water, you got beaches. I mean everything. His businesses are in L.A. There’s really nothing for him not to like about L.A.”

“… Shaq (Shaquille O’Neal) is the really only one I can remember that came here and left. Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar] didn’t leave. Wilt [Chamberlain] didn’t leave. Kobe [Bryant] didn’t leave. Magic [Johnson] didn’t leave…”

Sharpe also added the fact that James’ son Bryce is about to attend the University of Arizona, which is just hours away from Los Angeles, as well as the fact that his daughter Zhuri, who is a volleyball player, is just 10 years old.

If the 40-year-old does want to go to another team, it will be next to impossible for him to put himself in a situation where he would be contending for an NBA championship right away, due to multiple factors. Above all, his best bet as far as looking to win his fifth ring would likely be with the Lakers and Doncic.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Shannon Sharpe on whether LeBron will finish his career with Lakers