Inside LeBron James’ Locker Room Tension With the Los Angeles Lakers

It also came on the same night Luka Doncic reached 15,000 career points, while Rui Hachimura reached 5,000. Los Angeles head coach J.J. Redick acknowledged all of the accomplishments before Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka addressed the team.

According to McMenamin, Pelinka gave the game ball to Redick, who just earned his 100th coaching win, instead of James, Doncic, or Hachimura. This didn’t make the four-time NBA champion happy, as he saw it as “yet another example of the Lakers taking him for granted.” The ESPN insider also said James’ willingness to take a supporting offensive role to Doncic and Austin Reaves added to his feelings.

The tension has grown with James recently; however, will it be enough for him to leave Los Angeles?

Will LeBron James return to the Los Angeles Lakers?

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

James will be free to choose his next NBA team if he doesn’t retire, and the Lakers figure to be among the favorites. The 41-year-old star has built a brand in Los Angeles and continues to play at a high level. However, does James want to return to the Lakers for another season?

A source close to James told ESPN that he thinks a return to Los Angeles is up to the Lakers, as reported by McMenamin. The person continued and said that James “loves” being in Los Angeles. It would make the most sense for both sides to continue this partnership if he doesn’t retire.

James could leave the Lakers and head to a different team, such as the Golden State Warriors or Los Angeles Clippers, but would it really provide him a better opportunity of winning a fifth championship? Los Angeles was very strong before Doncic’s injury, and the Lakers should focus on building a championship team with James still in the mix.

There will be plenty of debate on what James should do following the 2025-26 NBA season. Retirement is on the table, but James is still playing at a high enough level to be a difference maker for a championship team. If so, it comes down to where James wants to end his NBA career.

For now, the Lakers feel like James’ best option to win a championship.

Read More: LeBron James Post-Sweep Bombshell: Retirement, Return, or Something Else?

Related Headlines

• Rumor Suggests Paul George Trade Realistic This Summer: Four 76ers Trade Partners, Including the Kings
• Rumor Is Terrible News for Milwaukee Bucks & Hopes of Giannis Trade War This Summer
• BIG Update on 76ers Pursuing Joel Embiid Trade This Summer, Including Rumored All-Star Return