Austin Konenski
LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers were swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, and the future is now uncertain. James is scheduled to become a free agent in June, but he is also considering retirement. However, is the four-time NBA champion’s return to Los Angeles more complicated than it seems?
Below, we dive into the locker room tension between James and the Lakers that occurred during the 2025-26 NBA season.
LeBron James feels ‘taken for granted’ by the Los Angeles Lakers
James has been with Los Angeles for the last eight seasons and helped lead the organization to an NBA championship in 2020. The 41-year-old forward is still one of the best players in the NBA, but his role has changed over the last year and a half. Now, rumors are emerging of tension between James and the organization.
On March 31, James experienced “another example” of the Lakers “taking him for granted,” as reported by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. Los Angeles beat the Cleveland Cavaliers by 14 points, as James earned his 1,229th victory. James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most victories by any player in NBA history.
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?
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?
