LeBron James and Lakers Keeping Door Open for Potential Final Season

Both sides reportedly want to maintain the possibility of LeBron finishing his career in LA.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 7:41am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a basketball game or match, with sharp, overlapping planes of deep purple, bright orange, and metallic gold, conveying the raw energy and movement of the sport in an abstract, cubist style.A cubist interpretation of the final chapter in LeBron James' storied NBA career, as the Lakers and the superstar keep their options open for a potential farewell season in Los Angeles.Los Angeles Today

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James' camp are not shutting the door on the possibility of him playing his final NBA season with the Lakers in 2026-27. Both sides are said to want to keep the opportunity open for their partnership in Los Angeles to continue.

Why it matters

LeBron James is one of the greatest players in NBA history, and his potential final season would be a major event for the league and Lakers fans. The team and player maintaining an open dialogue about his future keeps options open and avoids an abrupt end to his storied Lakers tenure.

The details

LeBron James is currently in his 23rd NBA season and is still performing at an elite level, recently earning his 70th NBA Player of the Week award. In the final stretch of the regular season, he averaged 24.0 points on 56.3% shooting, 6.0 rebounds, 9.7 assists, and 3.0 steals per game. The Lakers finished the season fourth in the Western Conference with a 53-29 record and will face the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs.

  • LeBron James is currently in his 23rd NBA season.

The players

LeBron James

A 23-year NBA veteran and one of the greatest players in league history, currently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Los Angeles Lakers

An NBA franchise based in Los Angeles, California, for whom LeBron James has played since 2018.

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What they’re saying

“Both the Lakers and LeBron's team at Klutch Sports would love to keep the opportunity open for this partnership in Los Angeles to continue. I think they are definitely not shutting the door on a situation where LeBron James plays potentially his last season in 2026–27 with the Los Angeles Lakers.”

— Jake Fischer, NBA Insider

The takeaway

LeBron James' potential final NBA season is a highly anticipated event, and the fact that both he and the Lakers are keeping the door open for him to finish his career in Los Angeles is significant. This maintains flexibility and keeps the possibility alive for Lakers fans to witness the end of one of the greatest careers in league history.