Lakers Notes: LeBron James, JJ Redick, Luka Donic, Austin Reaves

How and where will the NBA’s all-time leading scorer end his career? That question is starting to pick up steam.

Yaron Weitzman of Bleacher Report explored the topic, writing that most people around the league expect LeBron James to finish out his legendary run in Los Angeles. But if he doesn’t? Cleveland is viewed by agents and execs as the only other realistic landing spot.

“If he wants to do a farewell tour like Kobe [Bryant] did, it’s the only other team that makes sense,” one league executive told Weitzman. “LeBron cares about narratives. He doesn’t want to be like Michael Jordan on the Wizards.”

The idea of James returning to the Cavs this season is viewed as unlikely. If it ever happens, the sense is that it would come in 2026 free agency, and it would likely require the 40-year-old to take a significant pay cut.

Meanwhile, Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka continues to make it clear the franchise wants LeBron to finish in purple and gold.

“We would love if LeBron’s story would be he retired a Laker,” Pelinka said, via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “That would be a positive story.”

James turns 41 in December and is entering his 22nd season. He has a player option next summer.

Pelinka explains Redick extension

Pelinka also spoke about the organization’s surprising decision to extend head coach JJ Redick’s contract after just one season.

“We think he’s a special coach with a special voice that’s really helping us define the culture of Lakers excellence,” Pelinka said. “We just wanted to make a clear statement that this is what we believe in… I think having long-term planning is helpful as we build this team and go forward.”

Redick expressed gratitude for the vote of confidence. The extension was unexpected — he already had three years left on his original deal — and locks the Lakers into the Redick era as LeBron’s twilight and Luka Doncic’s prime converge.

Doncic feeling comfortable

Speaking of Luka, the Slovenian star told The Athletic’s Dan Woike that he feels “way more comfortable” with the Lakers now than when he arrived via trade in February. He said his EuroBasket 2025 experience helped him grow as a vocal leader.

“(Being a leader), sometimes it’s comfortable, sometimes not,” Doncic said. “Sometimes it’s great to be a leader and sometimes you have to say things that you don’t want to, but that’s part of being a leader.”

Redick added that both James and Doncic are in strong places mentally heading into the season — and made it clear his job is to “bring out the best version of Luka” daily.

Reaves’ work paying off

It’s not just the stars who drew offseason praise. Redick noted that Austin Reaves looks sharper physically, saying the guard has noticeably improved his “burst” and “athleticism.”

According to The Athletic’s Law Murray, Redick said Reaves has been the best player in the gym during informal team activities.

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