LeBron James reportedly hasn't had buyout or trade talks with Lakers, is expected to report to training camp
That should presumably end rumors suggesting James could leave the franchise ahead of his 23rd season in the NBA.
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James' status with the team has come into question despite the 40-year-old opting into his $52.6 million contract with the Lakers in June. James did not demand a one-year extension on his contract, which he's done in the past, leading some to wonder whether he was still happy in Los Angeles. The Lakers reportedly didn't offer James an extension either, leading some to wonder if the team was looking ahead to a time without James.
James' agent Rich Paul also got people talking after he made comments about the Lakers trying to contend while also building for the future, per The Athletic.
'LeBron knows the Lakers are building for the future, and he also wants to compete for championships. 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."
Despite all the speculation, there's been no indication James is trying to force his way out of the Lakers just yet. He and Dončić alone are enough to make the team a contender, which should satisfy James' need to compete for a championship as his career winds down.
But the Lakers also need to plan for life without James. While the future Hall of Famer continues to play at a high level, he doesn't have many years left in the NBA. Even if the Lakers want to keep him around, the team can't really plan to have James for the long haul given his age.
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Given that, the team has prioritizing building around the 26-year-old Dončić, who it acquired in February in one of the most shocking NBA trades of all time. Dončić is likely to sign a massive extension with the Lakers at some point this offseason, guaranteeing he'll remain with the team for multiple seasons. James can't make that same promise.
While the transition to Dončić has fueled some of the rumors about James' status, that speculation isn't based on anything James has said or done. Those rumors appear to be the result of people wondering how James will handle not being the focal point of a franchise.
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Until James gives some indication he's unhappy, there's no reason to suspect things will change in Los Angeles. James opted in and is a member of the Lakers for the 2025-26 NBA season. Despite the rumors, it appears it's going to be business as usual for the veteran as he enters his 23rd season in the league.
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