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6 days ago
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'No Worry' For Lakers On Luka Doncic's Future With $220 Million Extension Looming
'No Worry' For Lakers On Luka Doncic's Future With $220 Million Extension Looming originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Lakers fans can breathe easy because Luka Doncic isn't going anywhere. According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, the All-NBA guard is expected to sign a contract extension with Los Angeles as soon as he's eligible on August 2. The deal could be worth up to $220 million over four years, and based on Luka's actions this offseason, it's clear he's already committed to building a long-term future in L.A. 'There was ownership by Luka this off-season to stamp down that he wants to be part of the Lakers moving forward, and he wants others to join him, so he makes calls Deandre Ayton, the guy who came into the draft with him, as the number one pick. Now, he's the center for the Lakers. Makes calls to Marcus Smart, needs to fill the point of attack defender spot that Dorian Finney-Smith occupied last year," said ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "I think as we look forward, we look at that August 2 date when the Lakers can offer an extension to Luka Doncic worth four years $220 million, up to that figure. I would say if you're a Laker fan, you shouldn't have any worry about Luka coming to some sort of extension or agreement with the Lakers, which means he won't just be in line for next season, won't just be a Laker for the season after that, but I think at minimum we're talking about a three year extension.' Doncic, 26, has a player option for the 2026-27 season worth $48.9 million. Without an extension, he can opt out and join free agency as early as next summer, but that would be a doom scenario for the Lakers, considering what they gave up to get him (Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick). Fortunately, it seems Doncic is committed to the long haul. While he has yet to sign an official extension, it seems he may have some sort of unspoken agreement with the Lakers that he'll be ready to sign a new contract next month. If that wasn't convincing enough, his recruiting efforts this offseason speak volumes. He had a hand in the acquisitions of Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart, and he's also spoken up about the ongoing LeBron James saga. Since his arrival, Doncic has praised the Lakers publicly, and the front office has made clear he's now the centerpiece of their future. By all accounts, the Lakers are No. 77's team now, and all signs point to a healthy and long-lasting relationship. With a three-year deal, Doncic would make a whopping $220 million to pursue the supermax in 2028 or beyond, and it's a big commitment for the Lakers. Still, for a guy with career averages of 28.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game on 46.8% shooting, he's worth every penny. The Lakers made a franchise-altering gamble by handing the keys to Luka Doncic, and early returns are promising. With a new deal on the horizon and the roster shaped in his image, the Lakers may have just secured their next superstar story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
23-07-2025
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LeBron James' Retirement Decision Receives New Update
LeBron James' Retirement Decision Receives New Update originally appeared on Athlon Sports. After the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs in April, the biggest talking point heading into the offseason was reshaping the roster and acquiring a center to improve their championship hopes. However, no storyline has generated more buzz than LeBron James' future and the possibility of him playing his final season with the Lakers. James opted into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season but did not sign an extension with the Lakers—a move many interpreted as a sign that his time in Los Angeles may be winding down. Though rumors initially linked him to potential trades, recent chatter has focused more on whether James may be considering retirement next summer. The talks of James playing just one more year before he draws the curtain gained traction when ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported that there have been no extension or trade talks between James and the Lakers, suggesting that James could be preparing for his last year in the league. On Friday, Chris Fedor added more insight to the possibility of James concluding his career after Year 23: 'The one thing that I will say is that he is going — I believe, based on everything that I know about LeBron and all the conversations that I've had with people in his orbit, his general orbit — I believe that LeBron is going to make it known that he is going to retire before he retires,' Fedor said. 'It's not going to be a situation where he plays out the final year, and then in the offseason, he just retires.' He added, 'The sense that I get is LeBron wants it all. He wants the farewell tour. He wants all of these different franchises reliving all of his moments against them. He wants all of the glitz and the glam that comes with one of the greatest players, if not the greatest player of all time, calling it quits, eventually.' Should that be the case for James, it would align with how other legends ended their NBA careers. The late Kobe Bryant, for example, announced his retirement few weeks into his final season and was honored by fans and franchises league-wide throughout the year. After more than two decades, it's safe to say that James has undoubtedly earned a similar sendoff—if and when he chooses to hang it up. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
23-07-2025
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NBA World Bracing for LeBron James Retirement Announcement
NBA World Bracing for LeBron James Retirement Announcement originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Speculation over LeBron James' future has intensified as he enters his 23rd NBA season. The 40-year-old opted into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season, marking the first time during his Los Angeles Lakers tenure that he didn't sign a multi-year extension when faced with the ability to do so. That uncertainty sparked rumors that his time in Los Angeles could be nearing an end. Multiple teams, including the Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks, were reportedly linked to James in trade talks. However, those rumors have since been debunked, with The Athletic reporting that there have been no buyout or trade discussions between James and the Lakers. While the Lakers' refusal to offer James an extension was considered a strong indicator that his time in LA is approaching its end, ESPN's Dave McMenamin confirmed the team did not offer James an extension because his camp didn't request it. 'Rich Paul told me there was no extension talk because we didn't ask for an extension," McMenamin reported. "We didn't approach the subject… Rich Paul's point to me was this wasn't a point of tension. 'It's not something that we were pursuing.'' That sentiment has led to growing belief around the league that James may not sign a new contract with LA because he is bracing for retirement following the 2025-26 NBA season, and McMenamin echoed this on Wednesday: "I think we have to start thinking that this could be his last year in the league… I think you look at it like there's a very limited time left in his career. We already kinda knew that since he reached 20 years in the league, he has gone into every offseason contemplating retirement.' On Thursday, ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel added to this reporting, writing the following: 'Everyone knows that retirement is on the horizon for LeBron, and multiple agents, scouts, and rival team representatives shared with ClutchPoints that they believe James is gearing up to announce he will retire after the 2025–26 season.' As first alluded to by McMenamin, and now corroborated by Siegel, the NBA world is bracing for James to soon announce this will be his final season in the league. Should that be the case, James' 23rd season could be his farewell tour, and he will look to go out on a high note—chasing one final championship alongside Luka Doncic to close an iconic career. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
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LeBron James' Camp Denies Trade Rumors, Says He Never Asked For Extension Or Exit
LeBron James' Camp Denies Trade Rumors, Says He Never Asked For Extension Or Exit originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Despite rising speculation about his future with the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James is staying quiet, for now. During the Lakers' Summer League game, James declined an interview request from ESPN's broadcast team, telling them, 'I got nothing to talk about.' But behind the scenes, his camp is speaking up. According to ESPN, Rich Paul says LeBron has not asked for a trade, did not request an extension, and has not discussed leaving the Lakers, despite receiving calls from at least four teams interested in a potential deal. Advertisement 'I checked in with both the Lakers and LeBron's camp on this one. For the Lakers, it's business as usual," said ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "They have the motivation to compete at the highest level and maximize not just LeBron's timeline, but they want to compete now with Luka Doncic's. Some are positive that the true cause of the situation was the Lakers not offering LeBron a contract beyond next season, but Rich Paul also clarified that LeBron has not requested a trade, and hasn't even brought up the possibility of one in future discussions with the Lakers. Paul did tell me that four teams contacted him with interest in trading for LeBron, though. So now we wait. The Lakers have a full roster and have a decision to make on Shake Milton's contract by July 20th. They also have three expiring contracts in Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and Maxi Kleber, plus their 2031 first-round draft pick they can use in trade scenarios." Ever since reports surfaced about LeBron's growing distance from the organization, the situation in Los Angeles has felt increasingly unstable. As Luka Doncic has settled into his new home in Southern California, LeBron has felt more and more isolated. Yet, despite the noise, LeBron has denied the chance to speak out for himself. "Now, I asked LeBron before tip-off if he'd like to join the broadcast to discuss everything, and he told me, quote, 'I got nothing to talk about',' said ESPN's broadcaster during Summer League. We don't know what teams called for LeBron (maybe the Warriors?), but the fact that he never entertained the idea is proof that he still wants to be a Laker. While it hasn't been easy, LeBron has never forced the issue or openly pushed for a way out. Of course, that doesn't mean these past few months have been easy for him. Advertisement For a guy used to superstar treatment, this is unfamiliar territory, and he's still learning how to adjust. Through it all, LeBron and his camp (including his son, Bronny) have done their best to adapt, even with the arrival of Luka Doncic and all the changes that came with it. For now, both sides appear committed to making it work, at least publicly. But with LeBron on an expiring contract and his influence reportedly waning behind the scenes, the next few months could define whether this partnership still has a future. The King may not be ready to speak yet, but the league is watching—and if the silence continues, it may only fuel the speculation further. Related: LeBron James Trade Watch: 20 Best Deals The Lakers Would Immediately Accept This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
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NBA rumors: LeBron James will ‘never wear Clippers uniform'
The post NBA rumors: LeBron James will 'never wear Clippers uniform' appeared first on ClutchPoints. As LeBron James trade rumors continue to ramp up, the Los Angeles Lakers star has been linked to practically every other team in the league. However, even though a move to the Los Angeles Clippers would make geographical sense, the hypothetical scenario appears far-fetched. Advertisement Despite liking his living situation in Los Angeles, James told those close to him that he would 'never' play for the Clippers, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. Although it is unclear why, the Lakers' cross-town rivals appear to be the team James would least welcome a trade to in the 2025 offseason. 'I've reported in the past, a source close to LeBron James said, 'LeBron James will never wear a Clippers uniform,'' McMenamin said. 'So if that remains the case, you remove that one.' Old-school Cleveland Cavaliers fans might disagree, but James is known for having a strong sense of loyalty in free agency. He still feels a connection to the Miami Heat and Cavaliers, in a sense. For that reason, he seems to feel the same way about the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls as he does with the Clippers. While it appears unlikely, the Clippers have the financial means to orchestrate a deal. They have three players making over $20 million in 2025-2026, including Kawhi Leonard's $50 million annual salary. Advertisement Lakers' likely suitors for LeBron James trade Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images Despite having virtually endless options, the Lakers have yet to officially open the door on a James trade. However, if they do, they have a few clear favorites who would be willing to fork over assets for the 40-year-old. James' primary stipulation is that he wants to play with a contending team. The New York Knicks, who recently hired Mike Brown as their next head coach, have recently become a budding contender. Not only are the Knicks in a big market and on the cusp of title contention, but Brown notably coached James on the Cavaliers. Behind Erik Spoelstra, Brown is arguably the second-best coach James has ever played for in the NBA. Advertisement Many have included the Dallas Mavericks in the discussion, particularly with Kyrie Irving out for the 2025-2026 season. However, after recently drafting super prospect Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks appear to be trending in another direction. Like most teams, it would also be difficult for Dallas to match salaries without a third or fourth team involved. Ironically, one of the scenarios quickly ruled out of the conversation was a second reunion with the Cavaliers. Cleveland reportedly has little interest in making a deal, as it is content with its current roster and championship outlook for the next few seasons. Related: Lakers wing Dalton Knecht's reaction to Bronny James dunk is priceless Related: Lakers rumors: How Luka Doncic feels to Deandre Ayton signing
