The Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the NBA postseason. But what exactly does that mean for the 40-year-old LeBron James?

From the moment the trade happened, most could see Los Angeles shifted its timeline by swapping Anthony Davis for Luka Dončić. Dončić is six years younger than Davis, and more importantly, AD's departure exacerbated one of the team's biggest issues. L.A.'s lack of interior protection was exposed again and again by Minnesota.

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is expected to play next season. The four-time MVP and four-time Finals MVP is expected to pick up his 2025-26 player option with the Lakers, who lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of this year's playoffs in five games.