When the 2026 offseason arrives, the future of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James will be up in the air. The 23-year-old veteran has not yet decided how long he wants to continue playing until his current contract with the Lakers expires. Of course, if James wants to continue his career he can always re-sign with the Lakers. But count former Laker Byron Scott as someone who doesn't believe it should be that way.
During a recent appearance on Los Angeles radio station Power 106, Scott talked about why he thinks LeBron James should not be included in the Lakers' future after this season.
Scott said, "Coming from one of the greatest players to ever play the game, I thought it was ridiculous that it's harder to play now than it was then." "I'm a fan, but I don't mince words. I think this should be his last year here. You don't have to go home, but you have to get out of here."
Looking at Scott's comments, it seems like his argument is based more on emotions rather than James' talent and fit with the current Lakers team. It doesn't look like the debate between players and fans over the strength of the era will end any time soon.
What is not debatable is how the Lakers' acquisition of James helped bring the franchise out of irrelevance following Kobe Bryant's retirement. After signing with the Lakers as a free agent in the 2018 offseason, James led the organization to its first championship in a decade and helped keep the Lakers a relevant playoff contender in the following years.
This season, James has appeared in 40 games, a little more than 33 minutes per game. He averaged 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.1 steals on 49.8 percent shooting from the field, 29.9 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 74.8 percent shooting from the free-throw line.
