Sep 27, 2019; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka answers a question during the Lakers media day at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, CA. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Rob Pelinka Makes Honest Statement About Future Of LeBron James

Originally posted on Fastbreak on SI | By Ben Stinar | Last updated Aug 2, 2025 3:07 PM ET

LeBron James is going into his eighth season as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.

That said, the 40-year-old will be a free agent next summer, which has led to a lot of questions about his future with the franchise.

On Saturday, Rob Pelinka was asked about the future of James.

Pelinka (h/t Michael Scotto of HoopsHype): "All of the interactions that we've had with LeBron and his camp (Rich in particular) have been positive and supportive... If he had the chance to retire a Laker, that would be great."

Lakers President Rob Pelinka on LeBron James retiring as a Laker: “All the interactions we've had with LeBron and his camp, Rich Paul in particular, have been very positive and supportive."

“If he had the chance to retire as a Laker, that would be great.” pic.twitter.com/YXHTNDUX1G
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) August 2, 2025

James finished the 2024-25 season with averages of 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 1.0 steals per contest while shooting 51.3% from the field and 37.6% from the three-point range in 70 games.

Despite his outstanding season of production, the Lakers lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs.

Via Spotrac: "LeBron James
23 Seasons, $581.3M

03-04: $4M
04-05: $4.3M
05-06: $4.6M
06-07: $5.8M
07-08: $13M
08-09: $14.4M
09-10: $15.7M
10-11: $14.5M
11-12: $12.9M
12-13: $17.5M
13-14: $19M
14-15: $20.6M
15-16: $22.9M
16-17: $30.9M
17-18: $33.2M
18-19: $35.6M
19-20: $37.4M
20-21: $39.2M
21-22: $41.1M
22-23: $44.4M
23-24: $48.1M
24-25: $48.7M
25-26: $52.6M"

LeBron James
23 Seasons, $581.3M

03-04: $4M
04-05: $4.3M
05-06: $4.6M
06-07: $5.8M
07-08: $13M
08-09: $14.4M
09-10: $15.7M
10-11: $14.5M
11-12: $12.9M
12-13: $17.5M
13-14: $19M
14-15: $20.6M
15-16: $22.9M
16-17: $30.9M
17-18: $33.2M
18-19: $35.6M
19-20: $37.4M
20-21: $39.2M…
— Spotrac (@spotrac) June 29, 2025