NBA news: Has Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James played his last game in the NBA?

The Oklahoma City Thunder knocked out the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2025/26 NBA play-offs on Monday night as the reigning champions swept LeBron James and company 4-0 in the Western Conference semi-finals.

After a series filled with controversy around foul calls allegedly going in favour of OKC, James may just have played the final game of his career.

The 41-year-old turned back the clock in this year’s play-offs, having to play as the first option following injuries to Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.

Averaging 23.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.8 assists, he helped the Lakers make relatively easy work of the dark horses of this year’s play-offs, the Houston Rockets, in six games.

However, James’ season is now at an end, and with a lot of uncertainty over the forward’s options for next year, basketball fans will be hoping that this isn’t an undignified end for the GOAT.

So, what are his options? Sports News Blitz’s Finn Littlewood gives his thoughts.

Taking a pay cut

Of all the destinations LeBron James could end up at the start of next season, one thing is clear – he will most likely have to take a pay cut.

His most desirable option, remaining with the Lakers, does come with some issues too.

The Lakers have to make a decision whether or not to re-sign Reaves in the off-season, who is most likely going to demand somewhere in the region of $30 million per season.

If you’re the Lakers, you probably prioritise signing Reaves as he fits into the future of the franchise much better.

James would then have to take less money if he is to keep his family at home because the Lakers simply would not have enough cap space to re-sign him.

READ MORE: How NBA Game Analysis Helps Fans Make Smarter Betting Decisions

Moving to another franchise

Basketball fans can get creative, and they certainly have done when theorising the different teams that James could sign for in the off-season.

Perhaps my favourite potential team for LeBron is the Golden State Warriors, where he could partner up with fellow all-timer Stephen Curry.

It’s probably not the time to delve into the uncertain future of the Warriors, but Curry is going nowhere, and a link-up between these two aging superstars next season would be mouthwatering.

The New York Knicks are another team that has been mentioned a lot as a potential team for LeBron next season, and they have just made it to the Eastern Conference finals, looking the strongest they have done in recent memory.

Yet again, if this move was to happen, LeBron would have to take a chance on the money he is earning – and he would also be operating as a third option at the franchise.

One thing has been apparent this season, though: LeBron James is happy with that.

The final team being discussed is the storybook ending where James returns to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Unfortunately, the Cavaliers have the least cap space in the league, with three players in Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, and Evan Mobley all earning somewhere in the region of $50 million.

Another issue to consider is where James’ son, Bronny James, will be accepted onto the roster.

There have, after all, been some magical moments this season for the father-son duo, with James Snr notably throwing lobs to James Jnr in the first round of the play-offs.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: FIFA World Cup 2026 explained: Format, host cities and key dates

Uncertainty surrounds ‘The King’

If you don’t know the history of the Cavaliers and LeBron, he was drafted there in 2003, playing for his hometown in the first seven years of his career.

He then left to join the Miami Heat, where he won two championships in four years.

LeBron re-signed for the Cavaliers in 2014 and led them to the franchise’s first-ever NBA championship in 2016, making it a tantalising option if he was to return once more.

At the end of that day, while there are heaps of uncertainty surrounding ‘The King’ this summer and his mindset may have changed following a heavy series loss to the Thunder, he has clearly alluded to the fact that he has no intention of retiring anytime soon.

I, like most NBA fans, am hoping for year 24 for LeBron James, but only time will tell.

READ NEXT: Naomi Riches: From ‘blind girl’ at school to rookie rowing world champion