LeBron James Expected To Become Free Agent, Was Not Active Participant In Lakers’ Coaching Search

According to NBA reporter Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times, LeBron James is expected to decline his 2024-25 player option with the Los Angeles Lakers and enter unrestricted free agency. 

Although the sense is that LeBron will return to the Lakers, the leading scorer in NBA history was not an active participant in the team’s coaching search.

The Lakers hired JJ Redick, who co-hosts the “Mind The Game” podcast with LeBron. 

“James is expected to opt out of his current contract,” Woike wrote. “Although the sense is he’ll re-sign with the Lakers, he will be an unrestricted free agent if he declines his player option. He has not been an active participant in the team’s coaching search, according both to people in his camp and Lakers officials.”

LeBron averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.5 blocks for the Lakers this season in 71 games while shooting 54.0% from the field, 41.0% from 3 and 75.0% from the free-throw line.

According to NBA insiders Shams Charania, Jovan Buha and Sam Amick of The Athletic, Redick is focused on elevating Anthony Davis’ involvement and alleviating LeBron’s workload.

LeBron, 39, is the oldest player in the NBA. He turns 40 in December. 

A 20-time All-Star, LeBron joined the Lakers in 2018. He helped the franchise win the 2020 championship at the Walt Disney World bubble. 

LeBron is a four-time MVP, a four-time Finals MVP and a four-time champion. He’s arguably the best player in NBA history. 

A future first-ballot Hall of Famer, LeBron has career averages of 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Lakers. 

LeBron is the only player in NBA history to rank in the top all-time in points and assists, the only player to win three Finals MVPs with three different teams, the only player with 30,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 10,000 career assists and the only player to score 40,000 points.