Team reporter: I asked Pelinka if James wants to renew his contract with the Lakers next year? He avoids talking about renewal and only says he retires

September 27th News Today, ESPN Lakers reporter Dave McMenamin talked about the future of Lakers forward James on a TV show.

McMenamin asked Lakers' basketball operations president Pelinka at a press conference yesterday about James' expiration contract.

"After Pelinka initially answered that he would let LeBron decide his future, I asked, 'What if LeBron's decision was that he wanted to renew his contract with the Lakers in the summer of 2026?' Pelinka said, 'We will be happy to accept LeBron's retirement as a Lakers player.' He did not talk about the situation of renewing a contract with LeBron, which in my opinion cannot be ignored. He said LeBron retired as a Lakers player, and did not talk about LeBron's retirement as a Lakers player in the 26-27 season, ee just said LeBron retired with the Lakers," McMenamin said.