NBA Rumors: LeBron James ‘prefers’ to finish career in LA, but will he?

NBA Rumors: LeBron James reportedly prefers to finish his career in Los Angeles, but will that end up happening?

When LeBron James chose to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers a couple of offseasons ago, the expectation was that it was probably the last big free agency decision of his career. However, that may no longer be the case. He may have one more big move in him.

After winning a championship with the Lakers a couple of seasons ago, the thought was it was potentially the start of something special during the latter portion of LeBron’s career. However, since winning that championship, the Lakers have been nothing but disappointing.

They lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Phoenix Suns during the 2020-21 season, didn’t make the playoffs last season, and appear on their way to missing the playoffs again this season.

Unless something drastically changes, it’s hard to envision the Lakers and LeBron competing for a title in the near future. If LeBron still wants to win and that remains a priority with him, something eventually has to give.

Even though he reportedly would “prefer” to finish his career in Los Angeles, that may not be the best decision for the championship aspirations part of his competitiveness. At 38, he doesn’t have many years in the league left and doesn’t have time to throw away in Los Angeles.

Why LeBron James may end up leaving Los Angeles

If LeBron wants to win another title, you can make an argument that it will have to come with a team that isn’t the Lakers. And if LeBron ever comes to that conclusion, I believe there’s a good chance that he ends up finishing his career with a team that isn’t in Los Angeles.

For the things that LeBron wants to do in his post-career, it probably makes the most sense for him to remain in Los Angeles. But for how he wants to end his career, that may not be feasible.

The saying goes that someone “can’t have their cake and eat it too.” Similarly, there’s at least a non-zero chance that LeBron can’t compete for a championship late in his career while also remaining in Los Angeles.

Maybe it all works out for the Lakers and they make a big move during the offseason and the team ends up being a perennial title contender for the last few years of LeBron’s career. But I just don’t see that happening.