The Los Angeles Lakers may be quietly preparing for a future without LeBron James, and recent moves suggest the front office is already thinking beyond the upcoming season.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the franchise is showing signs of preserving salary cap flexibility, not just for the summer of 2025, but even further ahead into 2026. While there’s been speculation about 2027 being a pivotal free agency year for the team, Windhorst believes the Lakers are looking to make their next big splash sooner than expected.
“I know some people have been talking about the Lakers looking at 2027 as like a big free agent year. Well, their actions are indicating that they’re also eyeing 2026,” Windhorst said on The Hoops Collective podcast.
LeBron’s Contract Status Raises Eyebrows
Despite entering the offseason with questions surrounding his future, LeBron James chose to opt into the final year of his contract rather than test free agency or push for a longer-term deal. That decision came without any known request from the Lakers for additional years—a fact that Windhorst finds telling.
“The LeBron James side is very clear that they didn’t ask for extra years,” Windhorst said. “I’m skeptical of that. Whether they asked for it or whether they wanted it are two different things.”
The nuance matters. Whether or not the Lakers explicitly asked for a multi-year extension, their front office appears to be acting as if next season could be LeBron’s last in purple and gold. Windhorst noted that the contracts they have signed are already geared toward keeping salary room open for the following offseason.
Luka Doncic Trade Buzz Wasn’t Idle Talk
While a trade for Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic might have seemed to be true, the Lakers have shown a willingness to pivot in unexpected directions if a top-tier player becomes available. A deal of that magnitude would represent a franchise-shifting move, one that could signal the beginning of a new era post-LeBron.
The team’s quiet but calculated moves suggest they are keeping long-term flexibility intact, possibly in anticipation of opportunities like that.
Pressure From LeBron’s Camp
LeBron and his longtime agent, Rich Paul, have made it clear they expect a competitive roster capable of contending for a championship. That pressure has been applied directly to Lakers GM Rob Pelinka, who faces one of the most delicate offseasons of his tenure.
The message from LeBron’s camp is simple: build a contender, or risk losing the face of the franchise.
Yet, despite that ultimatum, the Lakers’ strategic planning hints at a willingness to let James walk if necessary. They appear to be bracing for the possibility and may not be scrambling to prevent it.
A Turning Point for the Lakers?
Whether this is a negotiation tactic, a real shift in philosophy, or a sign of big changes, one thing is clear: the Lakers are working with the bigger picture in mind. And that picture may not include LeBron James beyond next season.
