NBA superstar LeBron James is expected to return for the 2025-26 season, but it may not be with the Los Angeles Lakers.

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is expected to play next season. The four-time MVP and four-time Finals MVP is expected to pick up his 2025-26 player option with the Lakers, who lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of this year's playoffs in five games.

As soon as the final buzzer sounded on the Los Angeles Lakers's season Wednesday night, the clock started an annual rite of spring: rampant speculation and intrigue about the future of one LeBron James.