NBA Report: LeBron James To Choose Between 3—And Only 3—Options for 2026

There have been plenty of rumors surrounding LeBron James and his plans for what should be his final NBA season next year. He becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer, and the latest buzz making the rounds was that he could be swayed by his buddies Steph Curry & Draymond Green to join the Golden State Warriors.

"I don't know where he winds up next year, but I find it hard to believe it'll be the Lakers," says Bill Simmons. "This has been a weird fit for him the whole season. We've known it, you can watch it, you can see it with your own eyes... I think it's gonna be Golden State... They need him."

But sources tell Ashish Mathur of Lakers Daily that there's no chance LeBron signs with the Warriors. In fact, he says that same source tells him there are three—and only three—options for James for next season:

A farewell tour with the Warriors would make no sense at all. It’s Lakers, Cavaliers or retirement.

That certainly would make the most sense. It all began with his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. He spent 11 years there, in two separate stints, and took them to five NBA Finals, including winning their only championship in 2016.

LA has been his home for eight years now. He won a Larry O'Brien Trophy with the Lakers in 2020, and has been synonymous with the team, at least until Luka Doncic's shocking arrival last year.

Is 23 NBA seasons enough for James at age 41? Or does he come back for his age-42 year and a farewell tour with either his original team or his most recent one?

It will be an intriguing situation to watch this summer.