LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers throws chalk into the air before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans.

As LeBron James prepares to make his highly anticipated season debut later this month, questions about his long-term future with the Los Angeles Lakers continue to loom large over the franchise and the NBA.

James, now 40 and still performing at an elite level, enters the 2025 season playing on an expiring $52.6 million contract. The deal includes a no-trade clause, which allows the four-time NBA champion to veto any trade before the Feb. 5 deadline, giving him full control over where — and if — he plays out the remainder of his career.

While James’ short-term plans seem clear — return to the court and lead the Lakers back to contention — what happens after this season remains one of the league’s most compelling storylines.

Retirement Tour or One More Chapter?

With James set to turn 41 in December, speculation about a possible “farewell tour” has intensified. According to The Ringer’s Zach Lowe, several teams have already shown quiet interest in giving James a final-season showcase if he decides to continue playing.

“Now, what happens after this season?” Lowe said on The Zach Lowe Show. “I know people with the Cavs who are looking around like, ‘You want to do a retirement tour?’ I know people with the Warriors are looking around like, ‘Hey, you want to fulfill that dream over here?’ Dallas — that was a rumor. We’ll see what happens.”

James’ return to Cleveland, the team that drafted him first overall in 2003, would make for a storybook ending. A stint with Golden State, meanwhile, would unite him with longtime rival Stephen Curry, while Dallas would reunite him with Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, his former teammates with whom he won a championship each in Los Angeles and Cleveland.

LeBron’s Market and Future Options

GettyWhat will be Lakers star LeBron James’ next move?

According to ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks, at least 10 NBA teams — including the Lakers are projected to have significant cap space next summer.

That financial flexibility opens the door for multiple franchises to make a run at James, should he choose to test free agency or seek one final championship run elsewhere.

Despite the uncertainty, LeBron remains one of the top-10 players in the league, per ESPN’s preseason player rankings, a remarkable feat given his age and mileage.

Lakers Still Hopeful LeBron Retires in Purple and Gold

While speculation about LeBron’s next move continues, Lakers president Rob Pelinka maintains optimism that the NBA’s all-time leading scorer will finish his career in Los Angeles.

“Yeah, I expect him to retire as a Laker,” Pelinka told reporters during his August press conference celebrating Luka Dončić’s contract extension.

Pelinka emphasized the organization’s respect for LeBron’s timeline and personal decision-making process.

“In terms of LeBron’s career, I think the number one thing we have to do is respect his and his family’s decision in terms of how long he’s gonna play,” Pelinka said. “That’s first and foremost. We want to respect his ability to come up with his timetable on that. But if he had a chance to retire as a Laker, that would be great.”

LeBron Close to Return as Lakers Thrive Without Him

The Lakers have fared well in his absence, winning seven of their first ten games, thanks to breakout performances from Austin Reaves and a historic start from Dončic.

Meanwhile, league-wide ratings are surging. The NBA announced last Friday that national TV viewership for the 2025–26 season is up 92% year-over-year, the highest mark since 2011–12 — even with LeBron sidelined.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, James has been cleared for contact drills and is expected to ramp up to 5-on-5 play soon as he recovers from a sciatica issue that has sidelined him since training camp.

“LeBron James has been working out individually,” Charania reported last week on NBA Countdown. “I’m told that the next step for him is 5-on-5 live play. He will not be traveling on the upcoming five-game week-long road trip that starts in Atlanta this weekend.”

If his recovery continues smoothly, James could make his season debut before Thanksgiving, potentially reigniting both the Lakers’ title push and the ongoing debate about his next — and possibly final — move.

Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo