Could LeBron James take an unexpected path with his NBA future?

LeBron James has been facing an uncertain long-term future with the Los Angeles Lakers since he exercised his player option for the 2025-26 season, but that does not necessarily mean a divorce is inevitable.

A report that was published on Wednesday shed light on how former Lakers owner Jeanie Buss supposedly had a deteriorating relationship with James before Buss sold the team for $10B in June 2025. That has led to a new wave of speculation that LeBron could either be traded ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline, leave via free agency at the end of the season or retire.

As ESPN's Brian Windhorst pointed out on Wednesday, there is also another option.

LeBron James might take a pay cut

During Friday morning's edition of "Get Up" on ESPN, Windhorst laid out three potential options for James -- remain with the Lakers at a lesser salary, sign with another team or retire. Because James has a no-trade clause, Windhorst says the 41-year-old is not going to be moved ahead of the deadline.

"The entire league knows these three options. Coming back to the Lakers at this salary is not an option -- not because he's diminished greatly as a player, but because the Lakers have to retrofit their spending around Luka Doncic," Windhorst said. "You do not need to be Red Auerbach to know that. This is simple, basic analysis. Everybody knows it. I think there is a reasonable chance -- 33-ish percent -- that LeBron comes back to the Lakers on a reduced contract and they build around Luka Doncic."

Windhorst added that he does not believe L.A. will be a championship contender next season and may have to wait until 2027-28 to reach that status again. The longtime reporter did not rule out James still being on the team at that time.