LeBron James’ public posturing may all just be for show.
James and the Lakers have not discussed any trade or buyout scenarios and he is expected to remain a Laker by the time training camp begins in the fall, The Athletic reported on Wednesday.
Trade speculation has been running rampant since right before the start of NBA free agency, when the 40-year-old James exercised the option on the final year of his contract with the Lakers, which pays him $52.6 million for the 2025-26 season.
Upon making the decision, James’ agent, Rich Paul, issued a statement to ESPN in which he hinted at a potential trade request if the Lakers’ offseason moves didn’t align with James’ desire to compete for an NBA title next season as the clock ticks on his career — and while the franchise transitions to making Luka Doncic its centerpiece.
“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” Paul told ESPN at the time. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’ve had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.”
Paul then said four teams reached out regarding a potential trade for James.
James also made an appearance at the Cavaliers practice facility, something he downplayed, though ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said James was “poking the bear.”
When James was approached on Saturday by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin to see if he wanted to join the network’s summer league broadcast and clear up his Lakers future, James said, “I ain’t got nothing to talk about.”
James’ decision came shortly after the Buss family agreed to sell the Lakers to businessman Mark Walter in a record-breaking $10 billion bombshell.
