Monday, July 21, 2025
Home Basketball Can Lakers and LeBron James agree to a contract buyout? Exploring potential options

Can Lakers and LeBron James agree to a contract buyout? Exploring potential options

This past weekend, it was reported that LeBron James would be exercising his $52.6 million player option to stay with the LA Lakers. While this appears to seal the deal for James’ eighth season in Tinseltown, there remains a possibility that the King will suit up for another ball club when the 2025-26 season tips off.

Ad

One scenario through which this could happen is a buyout. While it appears highly unlikely that James would be traded by the Lakers — especially because the NBA’s all-time leading scorer has never been shipped away from a team in his illustrious career — the option of a contract buyout remains on the table for the purple and gold squad.

How Lakers and LeBron James can make a contract buyout happen

Fanatics Fest NYC 2025 - Source: Getty
Fanatics Fest NYC 2025 - Source: Getty

Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.

In this scenario, James and the Lakers organization can reach an agreement on the early termination of his contract.

Ad

Prior to the 2024-25 season, James signed a two-year, $101.3 million contract with a player option for the second season. In 2024-25, the Lakers star was paid $48,728,845. This leaves $52,627,153 for James to earn in the 2025-26 campaign.

Though James has reportedly declared his plan to opt in to this $52.6 million option, he and the Lakers can — for one reason or another — agree to a buyout in which James receives a lump sum equivalent to a portion of his pending salary for the upcoming season.

Ad

The amount remaining on James' contract (that is, his contract value for this season minus the buyout amount) would be taken off the Lakers' books. Meanwhile, a team picking up James in his subsequent free agency could sign him for the non-taxpayer mid-level exception or as their cap space permits.

What a contract buyout would mean for LeBron James and his current team

On the one hand, a James-sanctioned buyout would allow the Lakers to clear some more cap space. As of late May, the team was above the salary cap but still below the first luxury tax apron. If the Lakers come to terms with James on a buyout, they will have even more financial flexibility to build around Luka Doncic, who is clearly the team's cornerstone for the future.

Ad

On the other hand, James would get to explore the possibility of contending for a title with another team. In seven seasons with the Lakers, James has won but one title after taking just two trips to the Western Conference Finals. With LBJ approaching the end of his storied career in the NBA, he can agree to a buyout and join a team that could have better potential as a title contender compared to the Lakers.

Ad

Is it likely that LeBron James will agree to a buyout with Lakers?

NBA: Playoffs-Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers - Source: Imagn
NBA: Playoffs-Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers - Source: Imagn

While the possibility of a contract buyout remains a possibility, the likelihood of James agreeing to this scenario with the Lakers is another story altogether.

Ad

In particular, there are two players on the current Lakers roster who are possibly strong enough to keep James in a purple and gold uniform. There's Doncic, a perennial All-NBA contender who skillfully shares the scoring and playmaking burden with James.

Aside from the Slovenian guard, there's James' son, Bronny. Prior to the 20-year-old's arrival in the NBA, James made it abundantly clear that he wanted to play alongside his eldest. It would only be natural for James to want to continue guiding Bronny in his basketball career as his Lakers teammate.

It's probable, then, that James would choose to stick it out with the Lakers instead of agreeing to a contract buyout. Still, as the blockbuster Doncic trade shows, even the wildest scenarios can turn into reality in the NBA.

Los Angeles Lakers Fan? Check out the latest Lakers depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.

Quick Links

Edited by Simoun Victor Redoblado
RELATED ARTICLES

Lakers Rumors: Luka Doncic single-handedly fended off $4,300,000,000 franchise’s bid to sign Marcus Smart 

Luka Doncic has been instrumental in the LA Lakers quietly forming one of the best rosters in the NBA. Despite no flashy trades, LA has addressed three crucial needs at various positions, including the center, wing and guard spots. The Lakers acquired Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart to resolve those problems. Ad Doncic

“Stop fkn playing with me”: LeBron James makes his feelings known after surprise cameo in Tyler, The Creator’s new music video

LeBron James spoke his mind on being featured on Tyler, The Creator's new music video. On Monday, the musician, rapper and songwriter released the music video for his song "Stop Playing With Me" on YouTube. Ad The rapper shared the full 2:28-minute video on his X account with the song's name in the post's caption.

Dissecting Denver Nuggets’ biggest needs after arguably the most impressive 2025 NBA Offseason

The Denver Nuggets have been one of the most active teams in the offseason. New VP of Basketball Operations Ben Tenzer hit the ground running by making a big splash right out of the gate, and the team looks way better than it did last season. Ad Considering that they took the eventual NBA champions

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

- Advertisment -

Most Popular

Lakers Rumors: Luka Doncic single-handedly fended off $4,300,000,000 franchise’s bid to sign Marcus Smart 

Luka Doncic has been instrumental in the LA Lakers quietly forming one of the best rosters in the NBA. Despite no flashy trades, LA has addressed three crucial needs at various positions, including the center, wing and guard spots. The Lakers acquired Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart to resolve those problems. Ad Doncic

Tennis Controversies of the Week: Andre Agassi under fire over Wimbledon guest, Danielle Collins reveals disturbing encounter with media & more

Andre Agassi was in the headlines for all the wrong reasons as he brought an ex-player convicted of assault to the Royal Box at the Wimbledon final. Danielle Collins stepped up to share a disturbing encounter with a cameraman early on in her career. Ad Meanwhile, former finalist at the All England Club, Karolina Pliskova

“It’s not logical to open yourself, admit these weaknesses; It’s dog-eat-dog out there” – When Andre Agassi made honest admission about trying therapy

Andre Agassi once opened up about why he felt therapy offered little benefit to him during his professional tennis career. The American shared that he was only able to candidly look back on his career after hanging up his racket. Ad Agassi retired from professional tennis at the 2006 US Open with eight Grand Slam

“Stop fkn playing with me”: LeBron James makes his feelings known after surprise cameo in Tyler, The Creator’s new music video

LeBron James spoke his mind on being featured on Tyler, The Creator's new music video. On Monday, the musician, rapper and songwriter released the music video for his song "Stop Playing With Me" on YouTube. Ad The rapper shared the full 2:28-minute video on his X account with the song's name in the post's caption.

Recent Comments