Warriors, Cavaliers open for LeBron James ‘retirement tour,’ says Zach Lowe

Doc Los Angeles Lakers All-Star LeBron James did not make his regular season debutthere are still people wondering where he will be in 2026-27, in the midst of his final season under contract, including NBA insider Zach Lowe. Much of the NBA world has moved on from speculation of a retirement after this season, citing a potential farewell tour — but will it be with the Lakers, Golden State Warriorsor the Cleveland Cavaliers?

Would LeBron consider it is heading home for the third time with the Cavaliers? Could he add a new chapter to the end of the Warriors’ dynasty? Lowe revealed what he’s been hearing through the NBA’s proverbial grapevine, looking ahead to James’ 2026-27 season, he said on The Zach Lowe Show.

“Now, what happens after this season? I know people with the Cavs who are looking around like, ‘You want to go on a retirement tour?’ I know people with the Warriors are looking around like, ‘Hey, you want to fulfill that dream here? Dallas? Those were rumours,” Lowe said. “We’ll see what happens.”

How James and the Lakers perform this season could dictate whether he stays or not. That’s hard to gauge at this point in the regular season, where for the first time in his 23-year NBA career, LeBron hasn’t played a game for a nine-game team. Still, without James, the Lakers are 7-2 for the second-best record in the Western Conference.

The same could be said for head coach Steve Kerr and the Warriors, who are approaching the two-year deadline with the additions of Jimmy Butler and Al Horford to complement their All-Star core of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jonathan Cummings. At the same time, after finishing the 2024-25 regular season with the best record in the Eastern Conference, the Cavaliers are also title contenders.

Luka Doncic warns the NBA during the Lakers’ winning streak

Veteran Luka Doncic led the humble Lakers to an impressive 118-116 victory over the Spurs. Without starters LeBron James, Austin Reeves, Doncic’s 35-point performance led the Lakers to victory. He also finished with 13 assists, nine rebounds and five steals, as his near-triple-double in Wednesday’s win matched his near-triple-double averages over the five-game stretch.

In his first full season with the Lakers, Doncic is averaging 40.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 9.2 assists. Following last year’s second-round playoff exit, the Lakers have held on to a competitive Western Conference despite injuries to their starters, including Doncic, who missed four games with a sprained left finger.

Without Austin Reaves, ruled out with a groin strain, Doncic and the Lakers will look to extend their winning streak to six.