{"id":681501,"date":"2026-05-19T20:19:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T20:19:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/681501\/"},"modified":"2026-05-19T20:19:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T20:19:12","slug":"every-contender-has-reached-out-about-lebron-james-with-lakers-future-up-in-air-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/681501\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Every contender\u2019 has reached out about LeBron James with Lakers future up in air"},"content":{"rendered":"

Immediately after the Lakers<\/a> season came to an end a week ago by being swept in the second round by the reigning NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder<\/a>, questions immediately came swirling around LeBron James. <\/a><\/p>\n

Would he play another season? And would it be with the Los Angeles Lakers?<\/p>\n

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ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania was asked on \u201cThe Pat McAfee Show\u201d what the future holds for James.<\/p>\n

\"\u201cEvery<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery contender\u201d is inquiring about LeBron James, according to ESPN. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

\u201cI do know a lot of teams are calling him and his camp,\u201d Charania said. \u201cI spoke with Rich Paul the other day at the Chicago Draft Combine last week and he told me like every contender in the NBA is essentially since the season ended, placed a call.\u201d<\/p>\n

With interest in the four-time MVP simmering, James still has to determine whether or not a move will happen.<\/p>\n

If he decides to return for his 23rd season, he will be 41 years old. Father time is slowly chasing him down, but James is still competing at a high level. He finished last season averaging 21 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.<\/p>\n

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With Luka Doncic<\/a> missing the entire postseason and Austin Reaves<\/a> the start of the postseason, James still guided the Lakers past the Rockets in the first round before running into the juggernaut defending champs.<\/p>\n

But still showing he can play at a productive level this late into his career, Charania said that James needs more time with his family and inner circle to discuss his future.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think anyone would hold it against him. But I think the expectation has been that probably you\u2019re gonna get one more and we\u2019ll see if he\u2019s gonna be with the Lakers or somewhere else,\u201d Charania said.<\/p>\n

While teams are reaching out, Charania noted that the Lakers would still like to keep James in the building as they are chasing down their 18th championship in franchise history.<\/p>\n

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