What exactly does LeBron James want? Unveiling the superstar’s dilemma for the Lakers this new season: Will he switch teams or retire?

Since Rich Paul’s vague announcement in late June that LeBron would activate his $52.6 million player option, the question “What is LeBron’s real desire?” has been on the minds of those in the circle. On September 26 Beijing time, NBA reporter Yaron Weitzman wrote an exposé—

“LeBron is hungry for a championship,” Paul told ESPN at the time. “He understands that the Lakers are building for the future and accepts that, but he also values having a ‘real shot at winning.’ We deeply appreciate our eight-year partnership with Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka and consider the Lakers a crucial part of his career.”

“We recognize the tension between ‘contending now’ and ‘future planning,’ and we want to find the best solution for LeBron at this stage of his career. He wants every remaining season to count, and the Lakers understand this, offering support and seeking the best path forward for him.”

Though these words sound reasonable, they subtly imply that the Lakers are dismantling their roster during the offseason—but that’s not actually the case.

The Lakers have indeed retained most of their future draft picks and avoided giving them up lightly in trades, but they also signed Ayton, LaRavia, and Smart in the offseason, each capable of contributing to wins this season. Additionally, the Lakers re-signed Doncic, a move that significantly impacts LeBron’s and the Lakers’ future dynamics.

The Lakers may not be the top favorites for the championship this season, but they definitely possess the capability to contend and maintain a high level of competitiveness.

This brings us back to the original question—perhaps we should ask from another angle: What exactly is LeBron dissatisfied with?

Background: Why has this situation arisen?

The 2025-26 season will be the first time in LeBron’s 23-year career that he is in a “contract year” (with his contract expiring). Considering LeBron is a textbook example of modern NBA players’ negotiation leverage, it’s clear that entering a contract year without a renewal was never his plan.

“He obviously wants a contract extension, but the Lakers have explicitly declined,” an NBA insider familiar with LeBron and the Lakers revealed. “His dissatisfaction stems directly from this.”

Most in the league believe LeBron desires a “1+1” extension (one guaranteed year plus one player option), but the Lakers refuse to offer such a deal.

“There hasn’t even been a real negotiation,” said one NBA executive. Another well-known agent added, “The Lakers not offering an extension has put LeBron in a difficult spot.”

Possible outcomes: Three potential paths forward

Will LeBron retire after finishing this season with the Lakers? Or will he join another team in the 2026 offseason? Could he be traded mid-season?

We know LeBron wants to win, earn a high salary, and remain the central figure in the team’s operations.

Yaron Weitzman spent three years writing a book about LeBron and the Lakers, during which everyone interviewed believed that when LeBron eventually retires, it will be with a carefully planned “farewell tour” like Kobe Bryant’s.

“The problem is, his current situation doesn’t allow him to get everything he wants,” the executive said. “He has no leverage here, and he’s used to being in control.”

Now nearing the end of his career, what’s LeBron’s next move? We consulted multiple league insiders and identified the following possibilities.

1. LeBron demands to leave the Lakers: Limited potential destinations

This summer, teams like the Mavericks and Knicks were rumored as possible destinations—Knicks being a big-market traditional powerhouse, and the Mavericks featuring friends of LeBron like Irving, Davis, and Kidd.

However, most agents and executives believe that aside from the Lakers, the only team LeBron might seriously consider is the Cavaliers.

“If he wants to replicate Kobe’s farewell tour, the Cavaliers are the only logical choice,” said another league executive. “LeBron cares about the narrative; he doesn’t want to be seen as ‘Michael Jordan during his Wizards years’ (a reference to Jordan’s late career decline).”

The issue is LeBron’s contract is too large, and for the Cavaliers to acquire him via trade, they would have to give up core players like Garland and Allen—“which is absolutely impossible,” a third executive bluntly stated.

The only way for LeBron to join the Cavaliers would be to reach a buyout agreement with the Lakers before this season starts. But since the Cavaliers’ salary already exceeds the “second luxury tax threshold,” after the 2025-26 regular season begins, they can’t sign a player bought out with a salary above the full mid-level exception.

“The Cavaliers clearly want him,” the third executive said, “but whether LeBron wants to go is uncertain. Opinions inside the league differ.”

“I don’t think he cares about the buyout,” said the first agent. “He knows joining the East and the Cavaliers would make them a Finals contender.” But most sources remain skeptical.

“Accepting a buyout sends a message to the league that ‘no one wants you,’” said a second agent. “I don’t think LeBron would be willing to do that.”

2. Finish this season, then leave in the 2026 offseason: The most likely “respectable choice”

Although LeBron has expressed dissatisfaction with the Lakers over recent years, whenever trade opportunities arose, he consistently declined them.

ESPN reported that in February 2024, the Warriors contacted Rich Paul to explore the possibility of LeBron joining, but Paul rejected the offer. When asked about the “Doncic trade” in February this year, LeBron said, “If I had concerns, I would give up my trade veto and leave. But I’m here now, and I’m committed to the Lakers.”

Most league insiders believe that if LeBron chooses to play for another team in his final year(s), he will complete this season first and then leave as a free agent in the 2026 offseason.

“He’s never switched teams mid-season,” another executive said. “Would he really break that habit now?”

Finishing the season allows LeBron to “delay the decision.” “The Lakers may not be at Thunder’s level, but they will definitely be a strong team this year,” said the first executive. “Once the games start, performance on the court is what matters most.”

But the question remains: can other teams offer him a salary that meets his expectations while providing a decent farewell tour? The options are limited.

Will any team offer 41-year-old LeBron a contract exceeding the mid-level exception? Is he truly willing to end his career anywhere but the Cavaliers or Lakers? These possibilities seem unlikely.

“Starting a farewell tour with the Cavaliers makes sense; it preserves LeBron’s dignity and allows him to say ‘this is what I wanted,’ but he won’t get a high salary there,” said the first agent.

3. Retire as a Laker: The prediction of most insiders

This is the outcome most NBA insiders consider the most probable.

“LeBron talks about contending now, but in recent years, he doesn’t seem to be solely focused on championships anymore,” one executive said. “This is obviously because he didn’t get an extension. But would he really leave Los Angeles out of dissatisfaction? His family is here, his son (Bronny) is a teammate, and he’s clearly comfortable here.”

Considering Doncic’s strong performance at the European Championship in early September, the Lakers might contend for a top playoff spot in the Western Conference this season. If that happens, would LeBron still use ‘wanting to win’ as a reason to leave?

“Absolutely not,” an agent declared. LeBron might surprise everyone and break his usual pattern—but people in their 40s rarely change their habits easily.