The future of LeBron James with the Los Angeles Lakers will be one of the NBA’s biggest offseason storylines, whether he decides to come back or hang up a Hall of Fame 23-year career. 

And league executives appear to agree on one thing —  the Lakers should do whatever it takes to keep him, at least for one more season.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst detailed the complicated situation surrounding James and the Lakers as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer approaches what could be his 24th NBA season. 

While questions remain about how much the Lakers should offer the 41-year-old superstar, several executives around the league still believe his value extends far beyond the court.

One Eastern Conference executive strongly endorsed the idea of the Lakers bringing James back on a short-term deal.

“I’d pay LeBron whatever he wants as long as it’s a one-year deal, no player option,” the executive told ESPN. “Give him the no-trade clause. Everything [new Lakers owner Mark] Walter has done so far has been about good business. LeBron sells tickets. He keeps the [local] TV partner happy. Re-signing LeBron is good business.”

In year 23, James continued to perform at an elite level during the 2025-26 season, averaging 20-6-7 while leading the NBA in total fastbreak points. 

He earned another All-Star selection and likely would have made an All-NBA team had he reached the league’s games-played requirement.

James also played a major role in helping the Lakers secure home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs, having to switch from the third option to the first after injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

One Eastern Conference strategist told ESPN that James still grades out as one of the NBA’s best players based on internal analytics.

“By our metrics, he remains a top-25 player in the league and if not for his age, we'd probably assess him at near max player level,” the strategist said.

Still, the Lakers face a difficult decision as they continue building around their “north star," Luka Dončić, for the future. 

L.A. must determine whether committing significant money to James aligns with its long-term plans while also remaining competitive in the present.

According to Windhorst, many around the league believe James returning to the Lakers remains the most likely outcome. Rival executives reportedly see few realistic destinations with both championship aspirations and the salary flexibility needed to pursue him.

For now, the consensus around the NBA appears clear: keeping James in purple and gold on a one-year contract may be the Lakers’ best basketball and business decision moving forward.