Lakers Put on Notice As Questions Mount Around LeBron James' Future
The Lakers may want LeBron James back, but Brian Windhorst believes they need to be careful with how they approach that conversation. While Los Angeles reportedly is not eager to keep paying LeBron around $50 million a year, Windhorst warned that asking him to take less money without a real plan is not going to work.
LeBron is still playing at an elite level, and if the Lakers want a discount, they may have to show him exactly how that money would be used to build a championship roster. Otherwise, Windhorst suggested LeBron could be willing to take less somewhere else if that team gives him a better path to winning.
Brian Windhorst raised his concerns on the latest episode of ‘Get Up' saying,
"You better bring him a reason to take a pay cut. ... If you're the Lakers, if you force LeBron to leave, he'll go somewhere else and play for less money."
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) May 14, 2026
-@WindhorstESPN on LeBron James' free agency and a possible pay cut pic.twitter.com/Rs6XuEIoyO
"Well the Lakers have a problem. The Lakers don't want to lose LeBron James, they don't want to lose his 21 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists a game. But they don't want to pay $50 million for it because the rest of the league is not going to come bidding with $50 million. "You better bring him a reason to take a pay cut. ... If you're the Lakers, if you force LeBron to leave, he'll go somewhere else and play for less money."
What Lebron James Needs to Stay With the Lakers
LeBron James' future with the Lakers is starting to feel like one of the NBA's trickiest offseason stories.
The strange part is that both sides still need each other. The Lakers are clearly trying to build around Luka Doncic long term, and that naturally changes LeBron's role in the organization. But when injuries hit late in the season, it was still LeBron who had to carry the team, steady the offense, and drag a short-handed roster through difficult stretches.
That is why the contract conversation will not be simple. Los Angeles may not want to pay him like the face of the franchise anymore, especially with Doncic now positioned as the future. But LeBron is not just a nostalgia piece. Even at 41, he proved he can still impact winning at a high level.
The issue may come down to respect as much as money. If the Lakers want him to take less, they will likely need to show exactly how that sacrifice helps build a real contender. A vague pitch about flexibility probably will not be enough.
LeBron has already shown a willingness to be reasonable if there is a clear championship plan. But if the Lakers cannot give him that, other teams could enter the conversation. For now, staying in Los Angeles still makes sense. But the Lakers have to handle this carefully.
Related: Adam Silver Points Out Major Issue in the NBA
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 7:52 AM.