LeBron James is not retiring, but he is leaving the Lakers -- And he'll have to take a pay cut

LeBron James is not retiring, but he is leaving the Lakers -- And he'll have to take a pay cut centers on James’s decision to move on from Los Angeles after opting out of the simplest path toward staying. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that LeBron informed the Lakers they can proceed without him because he plans to play elsewhere in the 2026-27 season. He exercised a $52.6 million option for 2025-26, but for the next year he and Rich Paul were reportedly expected to pursue a max contract, making destination and cap space decisive. The Golden State Warriors are described as a leading contender, with a realistic offer framed around the non-taxpayer mid-level exception near $15 million annually. The Cavaliers could appeal via a second reunion, though they are not expected to have a clean max slot. Miami is also considered a possibility, while teams with significant cap space such as Chicago or Brooklyn could offer more money. On-court last season totals included 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds.