Feb 26, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) with forward LeBron James (23) against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Feb 26, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) with forward LeBron James (23) against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Lakers assembled a championship-quality team around Luka Doncic in the offseason, but they might not be able to keep that nucleus together because of cap reasons, and LeBron James may find himself playing for Golden State.
The financial situation concerning James’ future with the Lakers is getting complex, and all of it boils down to one unpleasant fact.
According to Sam Amick of The Athletic on his 'Run It Back' podcast, there is only a 60% chance that both players are retained by their teams, and that if Reaves gets paid his worth in the market, "there's not enough money for LeBron to feel respected."
May 9, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after a foul in game three of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
May 9, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after a foul in game three of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Reaves was able to score 23.3 points per game along with 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists during last season, giving him a hefty pay rise. His cap hold stands at $20.9 million, leaving the Lakers with $50 million of room left.
This money would have to cover James, Reaves, and Rui Hachimura, who are all said to want to stay only if the salary represents their worth.
Retaining all these players at these prices would mean not strengthening but retaining the same roster, which is difficult to justify given that the franchise got eliminated from the Western Conference semis by Oklahoma City.
The Golden State team can get ahead if the Lakers cannot close the deal. As per ESPN’s Anthony Slater, the Warriors could create room for the entire $15.1 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception, with Stephen Curry even having the possibility of trying to recruit James.
Perhaps the interest of the Warriors is genuine, but not all people are convinced that James will really leave Los Angeles. One of those who does not believe that this would happen is Michael Cooper, an NBA legend of the Lakers.
Michael Cooper's Faith in LeBron James' Returning to the Lakers
When addressing the Lakers' organization on SI's Ryan Ward, Cooper was straightforward: the team should not look past James.
"No, no, no," Cooper said. "I think both parties are working this excellently. I think give LeBron the chance. I don't see LeBron going anywhere. I think he comes back to the Lakers. I think the only problem would be the money-wise because, again, if you come back as a max player, you don't have any wiggle room to go out and attain another good player."
Cooper’s optimism is not unjustified. James, at 41, shut all his doubters up with his performance against the Houston Rockets in six first-round playoff games, where he averaged 23.2 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.2 rebounds, and without the help of Doncic, who played only two games.
For a player who can singlehandedly win a playoff series, there is a strong case for bringing him back. LeBron desires a ring, and he can take a player-friendly deal that will allow the Lakers to build around both him and Doncic.
Could LeBron take less to get one more ring in LA?
Read more at Air Jordan Chronicles!
Written by
Utsav Gupta
Edited by
Utsav Gupta