Many, if not most, people expect LeBron James, who has a player option for next season that he can decline, to return to the Los Angeles Lakers for at least one more year. His family has established roots in the Southland over the last several years, and after all, his son, Bronny, plays in the Lakers organization.
But there is always a chance the elder James leaves the Lakers this summer. He has historically had his own personal agenda that doesn’t necessarily line up with that of his current team, and he has a tendency to be passive-aggressive and keep his cards close to the vest as far as his future plans.
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On a recent episode of his “Buha’s Block” podcast, Jovan Buha, the Lakers’ beat writer for The Athletic, said that while the 40-year-old’s relationship with the organization has had some challenges, he expects the superstar to be back next season.
“I mean, I think there’s always a chance that LeBron could walk,” Buha said. “As we’ve reported at The Athletic multiple times, and it hasn’t just been me, Sam Amick has also reported this, the relationship has been a little frosty at times. It hasn’t always been the warmest over the past couple of years.
“But I’ve said it before, I think LeBron’s going to be a Laker next year. The only question is whether he’s opting in or opting out and re-signing.”
The elder James continued to play at a high level this season and averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds a game this season. ESPN insider Shams Charania said a few weeks ago that he expects the four-time MVP to opt into the final year of his current contract.
If James’ main motivation is winning another NBA championship, the Lakers would, in all likelihood, give him his best chance of doing so. He now has Luka Doncic by his side, and by all accounts, the franchise is very intent on adding a starting-level defensive center and better guard and wing depth this offseason.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Jovan Buha on LeBron’s relationship with Lakers, whether he will leave