LeBron James Next Team Odds: Lakers Favored to Retain Star Forward; Warriors, Cavs Viewed as Potential Suitors
LeBron James Next Team Odds: Lakers Favored to Retain Star Forward; Warriors, Cavs Viewed as Potential Suitors
Breaking down the odds for LeBron James' next team ahead of the 2026 offseason.Peter Dewey|
In this story:
Los Angeles LakersGolden State WarriorsSan Antonio SpursCleveland CavaliersLos Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is entering a very intriguing offseason, as the 41-year-old is set to become an unrestricted free agent and could sign with any team in free agency.
Now, James would likely have to take a massive pay cut to land with many teams in the league, but all options are on the table if the four-time champion decides to return for a 24th NBA season.
Following the Lakers’ loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the playoffs, Rob Pelinka stated that Los Angeles would like to bring back both James and Austin Reaves in the offseason as it builds around Luka Doncic. James willingly took a step back as the No. 3 option for the Lakers during the regular season, but with Doncic and Reaves injured to start the playoffs, he led the Lakers to a series win over the Houston Rockets in the first round.
Pelinka’s comments and James’ affinity for Los Angeles (he’s been there since the 2018-19 season) has led to the Lakers being heavily favored (-250) in the odds at DraftKings for James’ team at the start of the 2026-27 season. However, there are a few teams that could make sense if he decides to leave Los Angeles.
LeBron James Next Team Odds
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
- Los Angeles Lakers: -250
- Golden State Warriors: +300
- Cleveland Cavaliers: +600
- San Antonio Spurs: +1500
- Portland Trail Blazers: +3000
- Philadelphia 76ers: +3000
- New York Knicks: +3000
- Orlando Magic: +3000
- Milwaukee Bucks: +3000
- Miami Heat: +3000
- Los Angeles Clippers: +3000
- Houston Rockets: +3000
- Detroit Pistons: +3000
- Denver Nuggets: +3000
- Dallas Mavericks: +3000
- Brooklyn Nets: +3000
- Washington Wizards: +4000
- Oklahoma City Thunder: +5000
- Boston Celtics: +5000
- Minnesota Timberwolves: +5000
- Phoenix Suns: +7500
- Indiana Pacers: +8000
- Charlotte Hornets: +8000
- Utah Jazz: +10000
- Toronto Raptors: +10000
- Sacramento Kings: +10000
- New Orleans Pelicans: +10000
- Chicago Bulls: +10000
- Atlanta Hawks: +10000
- Memphis Grizzlies: +15000
The Golden State Warriors (+300) are No. 2 in the odds to land James, and they could make sense as a destination if the Warriors want to make one last push with Steph Curry still playing at an All-NBA level.
James and Curry showed elite chemistry during the Olympics in 2024, and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer would be a terrific table setter for Steph that can also step up as a scorer when Curry is on the bench. With Jimmy Butler (torn ACL) out to start next season, the Warriors need all the help they can get.
However, unless they execute a sign-and-trade with the Lakers, the Warriors can’t offer James a ton of money. They’ll likely be capped at the mid-level exception, which several teams will have at their disposal – some with better title chances than Golden State.
Another team that has been floated – and always will be – is the Cleveland Cavaliers (+600). James’ hometown team drafted him back in 2003, and he won a title in his second stint with Cleveland in 2016. There’s a chance for a storybook ending if James closes his career with the Cavs, but Cleveland is in the second apron and currently could only offer him the league minimum.
While James may take a pay cut, there’s no reason for the All-Star forward to take that big of a cut since he’s still one of the best players in the league. After all, he averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game last season while shooting 51.5 percent from the field.
The Cavs’ other path to a James reunion could come via a sign-and-trade, but that would take the Lakers signing off on it. Sure, Los Angeles could use a center like Jarrett Allen, but James likely gives the Lakers a better chance to win. So, why wouldn’t Los Angeles just bring him back at that number?
One other team that has been floated in the aftermath of the NBA Finals is the San Antonio Spurs, which CBS’ Sam Quinn mentioned as a potential suitor. San Antonio is fourth in the odds (+1500) to land James in the offseason.
“But he and longtime Spurs coach Gregg Popovich have long shared a mutual admiration,” Quinn wrote. “If he's as serious about wanting to win as he says, there's no better suitor out there. The Spurs can make the money work. The mid-level probably tops every suitor but the Lakers, and if the Spurs need to move Johnson to create cap space, they could get James into the low-20-million-dollar range. The basketball fit works because it always works with LeBron. He can do anything.”
There’s a lot to consider when it comes to James’ free agency:
- How long does he want to continue playing?
- How important is it to win a ring next year?
- Does he want to leave his son, Bronny, to chase a ring?
- Does he really want to leave Los Angeles if the Lakers are willing to bring him back?
Ultimately, I think the odds for James’ next team are right.
Not only does it make sense for him to stay in Los Angeles, but the Lakers need him back if they want to compete with the best teams in the West. Let’s be honest, even if the Lakers open cap space up by letting James walk – or trading him in a sign-and-trade – it is extremely unlikely that they are bringing in a player that is better than him.
Even at 41, James single-handedly won the Lakers a playoff series in the 2025-26 season. It’s truly remarkable.
If Los Angeles is serious about winning a title with Luka Doncic sooner rather than later, bringing James back to play that No. 3 role in the offense is the best bet, especially if it can get him at a cheaper number.
Unless the NBA’s all-time leading scorer decides that he doesn’t want to play in Los Angeles, it’s hard to see the Lakers messing around and letting him go in the offseason.
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Find Peter Dewey's NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.
Claim the latest DraftKings promo code offer today. Sign up and get $200 in bonus bets instantly when you make your first $5 bet.
Published Jun 16, 2026 | Modified Jun 16, 2026
PETER DEWEYPeter is a senior editor for Sports Illustrated Betting. He has worked as a writer and editor for BetSided, NBC Sports, the Connecticut Sun and the Meriden Record-Journal covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, MLB, and more. A New York City resident, he is a hoops fanatic with a soft spot for his New York Knicks.
Follow @peterdewey2Home/Betting
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
