LeBron James Should Leave the Lakers if They Invest in Austin Reaves, Says Ex-NBA Star

LeBron James has not extended his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers heading into the 2026-27 season, making him the biggest free agent in the NBA right now. As a result, questions surrounding his future are running rampant as the offseason approaches. Will he join another contender in the West, perhaps teaming up with Stephen Curry in Golden State? Or will he return home to Cleveland for a third and final stint? There are several possibilities on the table, with even a return to the Lakers not being ruled out, albeit with a few caveats.

The Lakers moved on from James as their franchise player when they signed Luka Doncic in February 2025. All conversations surrounding the future of the Purple and Gold began with Doncic, putting James in a situation he'd never been in before during his career. Despite that, there has been interest in continuing to work together with the Lakers.

However, there may be certain prerequisites that need to be met. For instance, James believes that even after 23 years in the league, he still deserves to be paid a significant sum. With that in mind, a former NBA star believes that if LeBron can't get paid by the Lakers, then he should forget about LA.

"It's time to go, Bron," Jeff Teague, 2021 NBA champion, said on his podcast, 'Club 520.' "If n***as start putting Austin Reaves over you, and I like Austin Reaves, but y'all never disrespect the GOAT like that."

Reaves is expected to decline his player option this summer and enter free agency. This would allow the Lakers to offer him a bigger contract. According to reports, Reaves is expecting a five-year contract worth approximately $200 million. If that is the case, however, the franchise could face a difficult balancing act when it comes to constructing the rest of the roster, including a potential new deal for James.

As far as the Lakers are concerned, the future remains their number one priority. And with a healthy Doncic and Reaves on the team, the Lakers could go for the championship once again in 2026/27.

Doncic and Reaves have established a solid bond as teammates this season. While sharing the court, they've racked up a 30-11 record in the regular season. Their 73.1% win rate proves how good the two stars play together. Sadly, Doncic injured his hamstring before the playoffs this season, leading to a Semi-finals 4-0 exit at the hands of the OKC Thunder.

Where could LeBron James Play Next Season?

As of the time of this writing, we are all waiting for LeBron James' decision regarding where he intends to play next season. James made it clear that he will consider his options during a vacation with his family and hopes to have an answer by the end of June or early July.

But what could be the endgame for LeBron? With the whole Austin Reaves situation, James re-signing with the Purple & Gold appears uncertain, at least for now.

What many fans and analysts want to see LeBron do is return to the Cleveland Cavaliers for one last dance. It would make for a great story, especially considering how the Cavs have struggled to get over the line and reach the Finals. This year, despite having a backcourt of Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, they were swept 4-0 by the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. James could be the presence that helps them get back to the promised land.

Throughout the 2025-26 season, James never turned down the idea of returning to his hometown. The Cavs organization also made it known that they'd happily welcome him back if he decided to do so. "As a Bron fan, to be able to be a teammate, that would obviously be special," Mitchell said in an interview earlier this year.

The problem, however, may lie in what the Cavs' ambitions are heading into the new campaign. Kenny Atkinson's men felt like championship favorites for two seasons in a row, only for the Pacers and the Knicks to pour cold water on their hopes. For James to come, the Cavs need to continue that short-term ambition because, in Year 24, James has no interest in joining a rebuilding team for a farewell tour.

"You ​want to be excited about … winning the day. And being around a group of guys that, you know, feel the same way ​, and trying not to take steps backwards. You know, understand that a season is a long marathon, whatever the case may be. But those building blocks throughout the course of the season are what matter when you get to the marathon or get to the sprint -- which is now, ​the postseason -- you know, the postseason," James said on his Mind the Game podcast with Steve Nash.

Another possible destination for James is the Golden State Warriors. Stephen Curry has made it known after the 2024 Paris Olympics that he would like to play next to LeBron if given the opportunity. Unfortunately for the Warriors, they have very limited salary cap space to accommodate a spot for the King. Unless they figure out how to shed extra cap space, San Francisco might be more of a blur, even compared to LA.