A report suggests that Luka Doncic may be the key to convincing free agent LeBron James to return to the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2026-27 season.
Per The Athletic’s Dan Woike & Sam Amick, Doncic has enjoyed being James’ teammate during his one-and-a-half-season stint with the Lakers that began in Feb. 2025.
“Dončić, according to a league source, has enjoyed his time with James as a teammate,” Woike wrote in a report analyzing LeBron James’ free agency options.
The Lakers enter next season with only Doncic, Jarred Vanderbilt and Jake LaRavia under guaranteed contracts. While Austin Reaves is widely expected to re-sign with the team, there’s uncertainty about James, who has been rumored to finish his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers or even to link up with Stephen Curry and the Warriors.
It would appear that Doncic may be the key to keeping the Big 3 of himself, Reaves and James together for another season.
LeBron James Enters Free Agency
The Athletic noted that James and the Lakers were headed for an inevitable split, but the winning enjoyed by JJ Redick’s team — which went 18-5 from March 1 through the end of the regular season — changed the perspective for both sides.
“After months of speculation that the two parties were headed for a divorce, a strong March changed the Lakers’ landscape and, potentially, the future between the organization and player.
“Winning, sources said, increased the chances of James and the Lakers extending their partnership.”
Rival executives reportedly view James joining the Cavaliers or Warriors as a “legitimate possibility,” but those teams can only sign James to a Mid Level Exception or a veteran minimum contract, putting the Lakers in a better position.
“…In both cases, the luxury tax poses obstacles that likely mean James would have to make major financial concessions to come their way.”
Lakers Face Busy Offseason
The report added that James hadn’t truly made up his mind about his future as he heads into his mind-blowing 24th season.
“His decision, whatever it might ultimately be, will undoubtedly have family considerations heavily factored in.
“And the prospect of relocation that comes with some of these options is nothing to gloss over, with one executive from an interested team sharing that James’ reluctance to leave Los Angeles has been no secret among outside suitors.”
The Lakers are estimated to have over $50M in cap space this offseason, and that’s even after factoring in Austin Reaves’ $20.9M cap hold. Per several insiders, the Lakers plan to pursue athletic bigs and quality 3-and-D wings with their cap space. They have been linked to the likes of Peyton Watson, Tari Eason, Tobias Harris, Quentin Grimes and Dean Wade, besides bigs like Dereck Lively and Jarrett Allen.
With Luka Doncic (hamstring) sidelined indefinitely, the Lakers enter Game 1 against the Rockets on Saturday as +170 underdogs.
Bombshell Luka Doncic News Drops Before Lakers Vs. Rockets Game 1