Insider: 2 Top LeBron James Suitors will Have Shocking Contract Offers

If LeBron James wants to move on from the Los Angeles Lakers for his 24th NBA season next year, it appears he might have to settle for a shocking contract offer.

According to insider Brian Windhorst, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors—his two supposed top suitors outside the Lakers—are only prepared to offer James the minimum.

The Warriors and Cavaliers are reportedly only willing to offer LeBron James the MLE or a minimum contract, per Brian Windhorst. pic.twitter.com/1ulGj7LZx4
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 16, 2026

Polymarket gives 45% odds that James will stay with the Lakers. But it's unlikely that they will be offering LeBron another $50 million deal, either.

"There’s no team out there with cap space that’s going to say, 'Here’s $35 million to play for us.' Sure, the Warriors or Cavs would take him for the mid-level exception or the minimum — of course. But there’s no team clearing $35–$40 million and saying, 'Come to us.' So who are the Lakers bidding against? I’ve specifically spoken to people on both sides, asking what his value is for the 2026-27 season... and I don’t hear an answer," Windhorst said on the Hoops Tonight podcast. "He is not worth $50M to (the Lakers)... So that's a big, big, huge, question mark hanging over the Lakers."

"It makes the most sense for him to be a Laker. The question is, what is he worth?

"I don’t know what the number is, but there’s a number LeBron will be able to get more than anywhere, and he doesn’t want to leave L.A. anyway," Windhorst said. "My belief is they will come to terms, but there could be some hurt feelings between now and that agreement."

LeBron needs to make a decision by June 15th, says Windhorst.

Meanwhile, LeBron has one more chance to be The Man in LA, as the Lakers enter the first round of the playoffs with both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out with injuries.