LeBron James may quit LA Lakers and opt out of his $51m contract but is set to continue in NBA to play with son Bronny

NBA insider Brian Windhorst has said he’s unsure whether LeBron James will remain with the Los Angeles Lakers for next season.

The four-time NBA champion can decline his $51.4 million player option next summer to hit free agency — and potentially team up with son Bronny.

LeBron James could leave the Los Angeles Lakers in the summer, NBA insider Brian Windhorst suggestedCredit: Getty

James has long been hoping to team up with his son Bronny in the NBACredit: Getty
Last year, LeBron, 39, said that playing with Bronny, 19, in the NBA — with or against him — is a major priority for him.

“I need to be on the floor with my boy, I got to be on the floor with Bronny,” the Lakers forward told ESPN.

He added: “Either in the same uniform or a matchup against him.

“I don’t mean like [guarding one another all game] — because he’s a point guard and I’m a, at this point now I’m playing center or whatever the team needs from me.”

And in a recent episode of The Hoop Collective podcast, Windhorst said it’s not guaranteed that LeBron will make his dream come true as a Laker.

“I don’t know what’s gonna happen with LeBron in 2025,” he said.

“I feel like LeBron’s going to play next year, but I don’t know if it’s going to be for the Lakers — probably, but he’s got an opt-out.

“There’s reasons to have discussions about this.”

LeBron showed how much he cares about his Bronny’s basketball career after leading the Lakers to a 127-110 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.

The game overlapped with the University of Southern California Trojans teammates facing the Arizona Wildcats in James Jr.’s second start for USC.

And after the Mavericks-Lakers clash ended, the 19-time All-Star rushed to the locker room to catch the rest of his son’s performance, which was televised on ESPN.

LeBron answered questions from reporters during his postgame availability while watching the college basketball matchup on TV in the locker room.

He was so invested in the game that he threw in some commentary on USC’s performance while being interviewed.

And when asked how Bronny fared, the Lakers star said: “He’s doing well.”

He said that USC — which eventually lost 82-67 to drop to 8-10 on the season — has “been better.”

James Jr. ended the game with 11 points, five rebounds, and six assists.

Meanwhile, the Lakers are looking at a potential roster reshuffle after a tough first quarter of the 2023-24 NBA season.

Atlanta Hawks star Dejounte Murray has emerged as a major trade target for Los Angeles.