Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

Lakers Get Clear Message on LeBron James Trade From Rich Paul

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Deveney | Last updated Jun 30, 2025 11:25 PM ET

It has not been the most comfortable 36 hours in the history of LeBron James's partnership with the Lakers, not after James opted in on his $52 million remaining year in Los Angeles, setting himself up for a rare status in his 22 years in the NBA. James is set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2026.

While that might not seem like much, it's worthwhile to consider that the last time James was in free agency, he left Cleveland to go to the Lakers. The time before that, he left the Heat to go to Cleveland. And the time before that, famously, he took his talents to South Beach.

If history tells us anything, it is that James goes to free agency only when he is looking to change teams. And that might very well be the gambit behind James picking up his option instead of getting, as he usually does, a new two-year contract with a player option.

But, it seems, James is not at the point of forcing a trade on the Lakers. If a team change is coming, it probably will be next year--according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Paul told him James is not seeking a trade. Speculation had ramped up after Paul gave a statement to ESPN on Sunday indicating that James was not 100% satisfied with the direction of the team.

“LeBron hasn’t had any discussions with the Lakers about wanting a trade,' McMenamin said on ESPN on Monday. "Rich Paul said four teams contacted him in the last 24 hours wanting to talk trades, but there weren’t any substantive conversations with those teams. Right now, LeBron is focused on playing on a championship-caliber roster.

"Rich told me: ‘There are no guarantees in building one, but we know what it looks like — and what it doesn’t look like.'”

During his career, James has been known to try to find ways to flex organizational muscle to get certain things from his teams. That could be the thrust of his current maneuvering.

While the situation is an uncomfortable one, McMenamin said that the team and James are showing no acrimony, and that nothing came as a complete surprise.

"The Lakers weren’t blindsided by his statement or by his decision to opt in,' McMenamin said. "The Lakers were operating under the assumption LeBron he would be opting in. There was no discussion about an extension—the Lakers didn’t offer an extension, but guess what? Klutch and LeBron James did not ask for an extension, either, so there’s no tension around that."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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