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LeBron James could be playing in his final games as a Los Angeles Lakers player amid rumors.
Things were clicking for the Los Angeles Lakers despite LeBron James‘ uncertain future with the franchise, but things have taken a drastic turn. With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves both dealing with injuries, this optimism in Hollywood has come to a screeching halt.
Now, it appears James’ days with the Lakers are numbered. Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer reported that the expectation is that James and the Lakers will cut ties this offseason.
James will be a free agent in the coming months. The NBA insider noted that James and the Lakers were waiting to see how things would come together alongside Doncic and Reaves.
“I think the Lakers and LeBron himself needed to see just a tremendous playoff push with the three of those guys all in lockstep, all clicking together,” Fischer explained during an April 15, 2026, live stream. “All kind of having a run similar to that run in 2024 to the Western Conference Finals that made this group feel like they wanted to run this back.
“The fact that they are not, at this juncture, seeming to have that type of runway in front of them, I think makes it more likely than ever before that we could see LeBron James play in a different uniform next season. And it’s certainly going to be a conversation in other front offices around the league. ”
Here’s what you need to know about the latest Lakers rumors ahead of the NBA playoffs
Lakers Rumors: There Is a Growing Expectation That LeBron James Will Bolt LA in NBA Free Agency
The Lakers are preparing to take on the Houston Rockets with Game 1 tipping off on Saturday, April 18. Los Angeles could be without both Doncic and Reaves as the two stars continue to recover from injuries.
Fans may be seeing James’ final games wearing a Lakers uniform. NBA insider Marc Stein reported that there is a “growing anticipation” that James, Kawhi Leonard and Giannis Antetokounmpo could all be playing for new teams when the 2026-27 season begins.
“The Lakers’ LeBron James. The Clippers‘ Kawhi Leonard. And, of course, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo. Expect to hear lots about their futures all spring,” Stein wrote in an April 13, story titled, “Monday Best: The latest around-the-league Intel on player, coach and executive movement.”
“NBA free agency certainly isn’t what it once was, as we’ve chronicled here numerous times, given how common it has become for so many top players to seek and sign contract extensions that spare them from having to test the open market. Yet there is a growing anticipation in numerous front offices, league sources say, that two or even all three of the above marquee names could land with new teams next season.”
The Warriors Could Make Strong Push to Poach LeBron James From Lakers: Insider
As a reminder, James is in the final months of a two-year, $101 million contract with the Lakers. Last offseason, NBA teams could begin negotiating with free agents on June 30, while new deals could not be signed until July 6.
Fans can expect a similar timeline for the 2026 NBA free agency. It remains to be seen where James will sign if the star does bolt Los Angeles.
The Golden State Warriors continue to be floated as a potential landing spot for James, per ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.
“Why not?…Name an aging star out there who might be available, I think the Warriors will try…They’re relatively predictable,” Shelburne told 95.7 The Game on April 15. “They’ll keep taking swings.”
Jonathan Adams is a veteran sports contributor covering the NFL, NBA and golf for Heavy.com. His work has been prominently featured on NFL.com, Yahoo Sports, Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report and Sports Illustrated. More about Jonathan Adams
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