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By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
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In June 2025, LeBron James's agent Rich Paul announced that James would opt into his 2025-26 deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, without any fallback plan. That single move ignited speculation across the NBA that this might be his last season in LA.
On Tuesday, Paul confirmed it.
Just hours before free agency opened, Paul told ESPN that James will keep playing in 2026-27 at 41 years old, but has informed the Lakers he'll be playing elsewhere. He reportedly told Los Angeles that they can move on without him as he eyes the fourth franchise of his 23-year career.
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And everybody already knows what that franchise might be.
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The Golden State Warriors have been the loudest, most aggressive suitor all summer. Golden State positioned itself to clear cap room and use its $15 million mid-level exception, specifically if the Lakers reunion falls apart. Draymond Green opted out of his $27.7 million player option on Monday, creating more flexibility for the Warriors to land James.
James remains close friends with Green and Steph Curry, and has strong chemistry with head coach Steve Kerr as well from their time together during the 2024 Paris Olympics, when they led Team USA to another gold medal.
The Warriors have already climbed up to over 70% at Kalshi to be James' next team, with the Cleveland Cavaliers down to around 20% and the Miami Heat under 10%.
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And just like that, the LeBron era in LA is over as the NBA stares down a potential superteam forming in Golden State.
The Lakers lose the most accomplished player in NBA history and pivot fully into the Luka Doncic era. The Warriors, meanwhile, enter full title-or-bust mode as Curry, Green, James, and potentially Anthony Davis chase one more ring together.
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