NBA Insider Identifies ‘Realistic Second Option' For LeBron James

Recent reports indicate that LeBron James is heavily leaning toward a return to the Los Angeles Lakers for his 24th NBA season.

But if James and the Lakers are unable to come to a new contract agreement, the all-time great NBA superstar will hit unrestricted free agency.

So if not Los Angeles, where would James play in the 2026-27 NBA season?

According to ESPN NBA insider Dave McMenamin, the Golden State Warriors present a “realistic second option” if James doesn’t secure a new contract with the Lakers.

However, if James were to sign with the Warriors and join Stephen Curry, he would likely be taking a significant pay cut.

“The most the Warriors, as currently constructed, would be able to offer James is the $15.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception, $37 million less than what he made last season,” McMenamin reports.

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James, 41, just finished his eighth season as a member of the Lakers. He’s still performing at an elite level, averaging 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game through the regular season. The four-time league MVP shouldered a heavier load in the postseason as Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were both sidelined by injuries.

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The Lakers’ playoff run came to a close with a second-round loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, suffering a series sweep. James averaged 23.2 points, 7.3 assists and 6.7 rebounds per game in the postseason.

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This story was originally published June 18, 2026 at 11:08 AM.