*LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly preparing for a major split after the 2025-26 NBA season, according to the Daily Mail.
NBA insider Jake Fischer said both sides are anticipating a “divorce” this summer. “The Lakers are ready to move on from LeBron James and I think LeBron James is ready to move on from the Lakers as well,” he said during a livestream.
Tensions with Lakers governor Jeanie Buss are said to have contributed to the potential split. A recent ESPN report on the $10 billion sale of the Lakers to Dodgers owner Mark Walter offered additional context on James’ relationship with Buss. While they have generally maintained a positive dynamic, the article suggested some underlying tension.
“I thought it was good, but somebody could see it another way” – LeBron James when asked how his partnership has gone with the Lakers in the eight years he’s been with the franchise pic.twitter.com/MNcbTP4ekM
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 23, 2026
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Insiders claim Buss was frustrated by James’ perceived “outsize ego” and influence through Klutch Sports. She considered trading him to the Clippers in 2022 and was unhappy with the team selecting James’ son, Bronny, in the 2024 NBA Draft, expecting LeBron to show greater gratitude for the move. Back in 2018, Buss reportedly felt James “chose” the Lakers rather than the team actively recruiting him.
“Quite frankly, I don’t really care about articles,” James told the media after the Laker’s first game following the Jan. 21 report. “I really don’t. I don’t care about stories. I don’t care about podcasts and all that type of s **. Nah, they don’t bother me. I’m 41 years old, and I watch golf every day,” he added.
James noted he has not spoken with Buss since the article was released, but emphasized that he has represented the franchise “with the utmost respect and honor and dignity. And I would say loyalty.”
If James departs Los Angeles, he is expected to draw significant attention on the free-agent or trade market. According to The Athletic, one likely scenario would see him return to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a third stint; his previous tenure with Cleveland ended in 2018.
Cleveland is seen as “an obvious destination” for LeBron James as he enters free agency this summer, per The Athletic.
James spent 11 years with the Cavaliers and a reunion in his 24th NBA season could be in the cards if he moves on from the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/OIXnkht4R8
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 4, 2026
Bill Simmons of The Ringer has suggested a more dramatic option, proposing a trade to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Jimmy Butler. “How do you make the league more fun? You have a team that nobody’s excited about with the Lakers and a team that feels dead with the Warriors. LeBron for Jimmy Butler. That’s it,” Simmons said. “It feels like a ‘for the good of the sport trade,’ just more fun.”
Simmons added that pairing James with Stephen Curry would increase the entertainment value of the league while questioning James’ commitment to the Lakers. “The Warriors are not fun. I don’t see a scenario where they become fun, but now you put LeBron on the team with (Steph) Curry, LeBron reinvigorated, and who knows? And then Butler is probably a better fit with Luka and Reeves anyway. LeBron doesn’t really seem like he wants to be on the Lakers, is my take,” he said.
As the 2025-26 season concludes, the NBA world will watch closely how one of basketball’s biggest stars ends his tenure in Los Angeles, with both sides reportedly ready to move forward separately.
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