Lakers Received ‘A Few Inquiries From Eyebrow-Raised Teams’ On LeBron James

The Los Angeles Lakers received “a few inquiries from eyebrow-raised teams” on LeBron James, according to Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst of ESPN. 

“There were a few inquiries from eyebrow-raised teams, sources said, just to gauge whether this was something or nothing. For now, there is no action. But it is surely being monitored,” Bontemps and Windhorst wrote. 

James picked up his 2025-26 player option with the Lakers, but some believe the NBA legend could request a trade after what his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, told Shams Charania of ESPN. 

“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” Paul said. “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.

“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. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what’s best for him.”

James, 40, has a no-trade clause in his contract. He has been with the Lakers since 2018. 

Los Angeles missed the playoffs in 2019, won the championship in 2020, lost in the first round of the 2021 playoffs, missed the playoffs in 2022, lost in the conference finals in 2023 and lost in the first round of the 2024 and 2025 playoffs. 

James is the oldest active player in the league. He averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.6 blocks for the Lakers last season in 70 games. The King made the All-NBA Second Team. 

The Lakers lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games. James averaged 25.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.8 blocks in the five-game series.

James has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers (twice), Miami Heat and Lakers. He’s a four-time MVP, a four-time champion and a four-time Finals MVP.