LeBron James 2026 Team Odds: James Favored To Retire, But Could Still Return To Lakers

By Adam Martin Aug 5th, 2025 11:01 AM EDT

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While there have been rumblings that LeBron James might be moved during the offseason, it seems like the most likely scenario for James in 2025 is remaining with the Los Angeles Lakers for the last year of his contract. That would allow him to make an NBA championship run with Luka Doncic, who recently signed a four-year extension to stay in Los Angeles. 2026, however, remains up in the air, as the 40-year-old James will be a free agent and be able to pick his next destination.

With the future of James up in the air after this coming season, Bookies.com veteran oddsmaker Adam Thompson has put together hypothetical NBA odds for where James could be playing in 2026.

LeBron James 2026 Team Odds

Team	Odds	Implied %
No Team/Retire	+250	28.6%
Los Angeles Lakers	+350	22.2%
Cleveland Cavaliers	+450	18.2%
Miami Heat	+500	16.7%
New York Knicks	+800	11.1%
Brooklyn Nets	+800	11.1%
The Field	+1400	6.7%

Odds are projected and do not reflect any odds that may be available at legal betting sites or betting apps.

Top Teams For LeBron James In 2026

Take a look at where James could wind up in 2026 -- if he even plays at all.

No Team/Retire (+250)

James is the current oldest active NBA player at 40, and he will be 41 years old in December. Very few players end up playing into their 40s, given how much of a toll the game takes on the body. That being said, James is a true gym rat, and he continues to maintain incredible physical condition at his current age. Still, Father Time gets us all eventually, and even James may decide to hang up his sneakers after one of the most incredible NBA careers ever.

Los Angeles Lakers (+350)

James has spent the last seven years with the Los Angeles Lakers, and unless something changes, he figures to finish an eighth straight season with the team as he and Doncic look to win an NBA title. The Lakers will have a good chance to bring back James in free agency next summer if he plays another year, although other teams will surely try to convince James to switch sides.

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Cleveland Cavaliers (+450)

James has had two previous stints with the Cavs, winning a title with the team in 2016. We know that James has a close bond to the Cavs, and if James hits the free-agent market next summer, the Cavs will be one of the first teams to call him and gauge interest in a potential reunion as the stacked team figures to be in ring-chasing mode once again.

Miami Heat (+500)

Another former James squad is the Miami Heat, where he previously won two championships in the early 2010s. If James hits the free-agent market, you can expect Heat president Pat Riley to give him a call and see if he would return to South Beach for one more title run.

New York Knicks (+800)

Should James reach free agency, expect the New York Knicks to come calling. The Knicks are one of the NBA's marquee teams, and they would surely love to get a chance to sign James and bring him to the Big Apple as the team figures to be a top title contender in 2026.

Brooklyn Nets (+800)

James has never played with the Brooklyn Nets, but this is a team on the rise, and they project to have a ton of salary cap room. They could potentially offer James more money than other teams, plus he would get to play in New York.

The Field (+1400)

Should James reach free agency, expect all of the top contenders a year from now to pursue a team with James, even if he would be forced to leave money on the table to chase another ring. Teams like the Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, and San Antonio Spurs could all be in the mix.

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About the Author

Adam Martin

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A writer based out of Toronto, Adam Martin has covered professional sports, with an emphasis on sports gambling, for more than a decade, writing for such outlets as The Toronto Star and Sportsnet. He is an expert in UFC, while also covering NHL betting and the Stanley Cup.