Behind Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James, the Lakers are currently fourth in the Western Conference, which would give them home-court advantage in a first-round playoff series.
However, with injuries to Dončić and Reaves, it will be up to James to carry the load in the meantime.
Of course, in the back of everyone’s mind is whether or not James will return to the Lakers following the season.
Luka Dončić Could Be the Key to LeBron James’ Potential Return for the Lakers
Just a few months ago, it looked like James’ career with the Lakers was coming to an end. If he were to continue playing, and all signs point to that he will – he’d be moving on with a return to Cleveland to join the Cavaliers for the third time or a move to Golden State to play with Stephen Curry and the Warriors.
That is not necessarily the case.
Joining Michele Beadle, Lou Williams, and Boogie Cousins, NBA Insider Sam Amick discussed James’ future.
Amick was at the Lakers’ 119-103 victory over the Warriors on Thursday night, in which James had 26 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds, and spoke with James.
Amick explained that James’ friend, agent, and business partner Rich Paul was at the Masters while James was “at work.”
James has plenty of options when he does hang it up, as his career, both on and off the court, has made him one of America’s biggest success stories.
“There is where he’s at this moment career-wise,” Amick said. “Whenever he says the word, he could be at the Masters, he could hang it up.”
.@sam_amick on LeBron’s future:
“Cleveland and Golden State, you’re not just talking about a pay cut… maybe a minimum contract. … Question becomes do the Lakers want him back… what does Luka think? This is his franchise now.”@MichelleDBeadle | @boogiecousins | @TeamLou23 pic.twitter.com/p9d1cTkcFl
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) April 10, 2026
It seemed like James was almost certainly on his way out of Los Angeles, but that may no longer be the case.
“A couple months ago, it felt like it was already unofficially settled that his Lakers era was over,” Amick said. “The mood was bad enough, obviously, stuff in the media about the relationship dynamics being fairly negative, so you start hearing Cleveland, Golden State.”
Amick points out that James has played very well in a role that is very new to him.
“He showed his worth again with the Lakers; he’s shown more importantly a genuine willingness to take a third option role and to thrive in it.”
There are other reasons why James may want to remain in Los Angeles.
“Cleveland and Golden State, you’re not just talking about a pay cut,” Amick explained. You’re talking about a massive pay cut and maybe a minimum contract.”
Some believe it’s a stretch that James would leave that much money on the table and leave Los Angeles when he’s made a home for his family there.
If James does want to return, the question about what Dončić thinks also has to be considered.
“The question becomes do the Lakers want him back and to be honest, what does Luka think? This is his franchise now.”
James is the Lakers’ third-leading scorer this year, averaging 20.9 points per game. Reaves is putting up 23.3 points a night while Dončić is the league’s leading scorer, averaging 33.5 points per game.
Dončić signed a three-year, $165 million contract extension in the summer, making it clear the Lakers would be building the team around him.
Now, we’ll see if James and Dončić have the same opinion on James’ future with the Lakers.
