LeBron James Career Update: Ramifications of Potential Lakers Exit

Whichever path he chooses out of Los Angeles will have a massive domino effect on the rest of the league. Let’s explore how James’ decision to retire or sign with another team will impact the landscape of the NBA.

Life Without LeBron James

The ramifications of James retiring would be much greater for the league itself than individual teams, but it would be a long adjustment period for both.

The four-time champion has been the main source of income for the league and basketball media for more than two decades, so there would likely be a mass scramble to find another revenue driver.

Oddly enough, this decision may be somewhat beneficial to the Lakers, who would save a ton of money on James’ contract, which would offer them the financial flexibility to begin building a complimentary roster around Luka Doncic.

It would obviously be tough to replace 22 points and seven assists per game in the short term, but retirement would allow Los Angeles to reset and reevaluate where they stand in the Western Conference.

James’ Free Agency Sweepstakes

Sometimes players decline the options in their contract and renegotiate with their current teams, technically making them free agents.

This has happened a multitude of times with James, but he has truly hit the open market three different times in his career, which is somewhat atypical for a player of his stature.

If he chooses to spend his final season somewhere other than Los Angeles, then the Cavaliers and the Miami Heat would likely be the two favorites to land him.

James has spent 11 of his 23 seasons in Cleveland, and he spent four years in South Beach sandwiched between his two stints with his hometown team.

But considering the future Hall-of-Fame forward has made it clear he wants to compete for championships, there would likely be a line of teams vying for his services who believe they are just one piece away from a championship.

The Golden State Warriors have been rumored to have interest in acquiring James for some time now, and there’s no reason to believe the pairing wouldn’t work.

Although they are in the twilight of their careers, a James and Stephen Curry partnership would be one of the most dynamic duos the league has ever seen.

Teams still can’t keep James out of the paint, and it doesn’t seem like Curry will ever lose that sweet stroke from long range.

This season is still relatively young, so nothing is set in stone yet. However, it sounds like James won’t be back in Los Angeles next season no matter what, so teams need to start preparing as such.