The Los Angeles Lakers are at a crossroads. LA has two superstar players in LeBron James and Luka Dončić, but they won't be able to afford both for long. Soon-to-be owner Mark Walter could soon face the reality of a Lakers team without James.

Lakers star LeBron James reportedly did not discuss additional years on his contract, per The Athletic's Sam Amick. This creates the possibility that James could leave the Lakers after the 2025-26 NBA season.

“Team sources say James and the Lakers did not discuss deals that would have added years to his Lakers tenure that began in 2018, either by way of extension or with him opting out and signing a new deal,” Amick wrote. “Conversely, James and his camp signaled months ago that there would be no discounts offered this time around (the Lakers, team sources say, didn’t propose any sort of discounted deal out of respect for James).”

James will play on a $52.6 million player option next season. After that, nobody knows.

This contract decision could signal a shift in LA from James to Luka Dončić as the future of the franchise.

“If the Lakers have any hope of staying nimble in the crucial years to come, and potentially adding the next co-star to put alongside Dončić after James is gone, then it behooves them to maintain as much flexibility as possible. The second-apron realities of today’s NBA mean that elite talents could shake loose at any time, with owners who pushed for this virtual hard cap now facing its grave consequences.”

LeBron James' agent, Rich Paul, discusses contract with Lakers

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James does not seem to have the leverage he once did.

His agent, Rich Paul, recently explained the situation his client finds himself in with the Lakers.

“LeBron knows the Lakers are building for the future, and he also wants to compete for championships,” Paul told The Athletic and ESPN. “We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what’s best for him. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’ve had for eight years with Jeanie (Buss) and Rob (Pelinka) and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.”

James is rumored to be facing pressure from his wife to retire “in the next year or so.”

Paul's messaging seems to suggest that next season could be James' final year with the Lakers.

There's no telling where James could go after that. But retirement now seems to be an option for the 40-year-old basketball legend.