The Los Angeles Lakers might lose Lebron James in 2026 after his surprising meeting with Nikola Jokic’s agent

The Los Angeles Lakers, a franchise with a rich history in the NBA, could potentially lose their superstar, LeBron James, by 2026. This speculation began after a surprising meeting in France that included LeBron, his business partner Maverick Carter, and Misko Raznatovic, the agent for Denver Nuggets’ star Nikola Jokic.

Raznatovic’s enigmatic Instagram post after their meeting has ignited wild fan theories and significant media focus on LeBron’s future with the Lakers.

LeBron James could enter 2026 free agency after his $52.6 million player option ends

On Instagram, Misko Raznatovic uploaded a picture of himself alongside LeBron James and Maverick Carter, captioning it, "The summer of 2025 is the perfect time to make big plans for the fall of 2026!" It is a very interesting statement which promptly raised eagerness in the basketball industry.

With LeBron set to become a free agent in 2026 after exercising the option of the final year of his contract in 2025-26, which expires at the base of 52.6 million, the date of this assembly and the mention of 2026 has caused some fans and commentators to speculate that the player could be leaving Los Angeles.

The meeting was held in France, although the specific purpose is still not clear. Nevertheless, the people involved—LeBron, a four-time NBA champion; Carter, his longtime business associate; and Raznatovic, the agent of a three-time MVP—imply that important career decisions might be in the works.

LeBron James had great numbers last season but this is not enough for keeping him

LeBron James joined the Lakers back in 2018, bringing his incredible talent and leadership to a franchise that was hungry to regain its championship status. He delivered in 2020, leading the team to an NBA title in the Orlando bubble. Since then, though, the Lakers have had a tough time keeping up their success, with injuries and roster changes getting in the way. Nevertheless, LeBron has continued to shine at an elite level.

In the 2024-25 season, he put up averages of 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists, earning him All-NBA Second Team recognition.

Now kicking off his 23rd NBA season—a record-setting milestone—LeBron continues to dominate on the court. Still, his future with the Lakers is being questioned after he chose to exercise his $52.6 million player option for 2025-26. Reports are emerging that the Lakers’ front office is turning its attention to a younger star, Luka Doncic, who was acquired in a significant trade in 2025.

This change in direction might indicate a new phase for the Lakers—one that could conflict with LeBron’s short-term objectives.

In an ESPN interview, Rich Paul, who is LeBron's agent, discussed this tension — “LeBron wants to compete for a championship. He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all”Also Read: “It’s one Steph Curry” — DeMar DeRozan says copying Golden State Warriors star is misleading for HoopersFor the Lakers, deciding to let LeBron leave in 2026 could be a smart strategy.

By letting his contract expire, they would free up cap space to go after stars in a competitive 2026 free-agent class. Reports suggest that Giannis Antetokounmpo's future with the Milwaukee Bucks is unclear, and the Nuggets' president has hinted at the possibility of trading Jokic if salary cap challenges come up. These situations might encourage the Lakers to pursue Jokic, pairing him with Doncic to create a powerful duo.

FAQs

What did Misko Raznatovic post on Instagram?

He shared a photo with LeBron James and Maverick Carter with a caption teasing "big plans for fall 2026."

Could LeBron retire after 2026?

It’s possible, as the 2026 season could be his last before retirement.

What are fans saying about LeBron possibly joining Denver?

Many are excited about the possibility and think it would form an unstoppable duo.