LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers are making their intentions clear: they want LeBron James to continue his career in purple and gold.
Following the team’s disappointing 115-110 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night, which completed a second-round playoff sweep, Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick expressed their strong commitment to retaining the veteran superstar. The loss marked the end of James’ eighth campaign with Los Angeles.
At 41 years old, James has just wrapped up his remarkable 23rd NBA campaign, though he remains uncertain about continuing his playing career.
“Any team, including ours, would love to have LeBron James on their roster,” Pelinka said. “That’s a blessing in itself, just with what he does.”
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer enters unrestricted free agency this summer, giving him complete control over his next destination should he decide to delay retirement. While not every franchise possesses the financial flexibility to offer competitive compensation, the Lakers maintain substantial cap space and numerous roster decisions ahead. The organization hopes James will remain part of their championship pursuit centered around Luka Doncic.
“He’s given so much to his teammates, to this organization, and the thing we want to do more than anything else is honor him back,” Pelinka said.
The general manager repeatedly emphasized his commitment to “honor” James’ deliberation process, indicating the franchise’s willingness to wait patiently for the superstar’s decision over the coming weeks.
“The first order of business there is allowing him to spend the time he needs to decide what his next steps are,” Pelinka said. “Does he want to play another year in the NBA? That’ll be (determined through) family time, I think, time with his inner circle, and we just want to honor that for him.”
This represents James’ longest tenure with a single franchise, spanning eight seasons. His family has established roots in Los Angeles, where he captured an NBA championship and achieved numerous league milestones. Additionally, his 21-year-old son Bronny has spent two seasons as a reserve guard with the Lakers, creating the unique opportunity for father and son to share the court during several meaningful playoff moments.
Injuries limited James to 60 games this season, and he posted career-low averages of 20.9 points per game while adapting to his role as the team’s third scoring option behind Doncic and Austin Reaves. Despite this adjustment representing unfamiliar territory, James appeared to embrace his enhanced playmaking responsibilities, particularly during the team’s strongest stretch in March.
Los Angeles compiled a 53-win record and claimed the Pacific Division championship despite losing Doncic for the remainder of the season and Reaves for nearly a month due to injuries sustained in the same April 2nd contest. Although their campaign concluded with a four-game elimination by the heavily favored Thunder, the Lakers approach the offseason with confidence about their potential improvement — especially if James returns.
However, Pelinka clarified that the franchise’s long-term vision revolves around 27-year-old Doncic, who captured the NBA scoring championship before a hamstring injury derailed his playoff preparation.
“The archetype of the roster that we want is going to be retrofitted around Luka and the things he needs,” Pelinka said. “Clearly he’s that leader and player for the future that we want to build the right way around.”
The Lakers’ most significant offseason priority involves securing a new contract for Reaves, the former undrafted player who has emerged as one of the league’s most productive scorers during his five Los Angeles seasons. Reaves is anticipated to decline his player option, with Pelinka confirming mutual interest in a substantial extension.
“He started his journey here as a Laker and has made it very clear to us that he wants his journey to continue as a Laker, and we feel the same way,” Pelinka said. “We want his odyssey to continue to unfold in the purple and gold. Both sides have made it abundantly clear that we want to work something out.”
Other unrestricted free agents include forward Rui Hachimura, whose impressive postseason performance following regular-season inconsistencies likely earned him a significant raise; guard Luke Kennard, acquired via late-season trade who provided valuable contributions during Reaves’ absence; and reserve center Jaxson Hayes.
Starting center Deandre Ayton holds an $8.1 million player option and indicated Monday he hasn’t considered his decision. Marcus Smart, another key playoff contributor, possesses a $5.4 million player option he’s expected to decline in pursuit of a larger contract.
“Being here in LA, the crowd and everybody has been amazing,” Ayton said. “I wouldn’t change it for nothing, to be honest.”
