Garland settles in — LeBron doubt
Darius Garland is reportedly fitting in with the LA Clippers following the James Harden deal, and multiple league insiders say LeBron James is unlikely to return to the Lakers next season — a view echoed around the league (yardbarker.com) (heavy.com).
The Clippers completed the swap for Darius Garland on Feb. 3, 2026, sending James Harden to Cleveland in exchange for Garland and a 2026 second-round pick. (espn.com) Garland is in the third season of a five-year, $197.23 million designated rookie-extension that carries a roughly $39.45 million cap hit for 2025–26. (spotrac.com) Clippers coach Tyronn Lue has said he plans to speed up the offense and use Garland “off the ball” once healthy; Garland missed time with a right big-toe sprain that began Jan. 16 but has been cleared into the rotation. (espn.com) Across the 2025–26 season Garland is averaging 18.2 points and 6.8 assists, and he produced a 41-point, 11-assist outburst (15‑of‑24 FG, eight 3s) in a March 21 overtime win at Dallas. (espn.com) Those performances have coincided with a Clippers winning streak and a March 25 win over Toronto that left Los Angeles a half-game ahead of Portland for the West’s eighth seed. (espn.com) League executives and The Athletic’s Sam Amick report that a growing consensus around the NBA views LeBron James as unlikely to re-sign with the Lakers next offseason, with Cleveland and Golden State repeatedly mentioned as leading destinations. (heavy.com) James remains under contract for the 2025–26 season after exercising a $52.6 million player option last June, which would make him an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2026 if the team does not extend him. (espn.com) Several outlets note the final decision could depend on how the season finishes and on whether James would accept a reduced salary to remain in Los Angeles, even as leaguewide sentiment has shifted in recent weeks. (si.com)
