LeBron James Expected to Remain With Los Angeles Lakers Amid NBA Trade Rumors

LeBron James is expected to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers despite being in NBA trade rumors.

James, the leading scorer in NBA history, hasn’t had trade or buyout discussions with the Lakers, according to Joe Vardon and Dan Woike of The Athletic.

“In the sections filled with employees from other teams, scouts and executives around the NBA buzzed with speculation about where else James might play, tossing around trade and buyout scenarios that, league and team sources told The Athletic, have never been discussed between James and the Lakers,” Vardon and Woike wrote. 

“Amid the constant speculation recently about his future, both the Lakers and people close to the NBA’s all-time leading scorer expect that he will be with the organization for training camp once the season begins this fall, league sources told The Athletic.

“Those same sources said the Lakers have received no indication from James or his representatives that he would request a trade or ask to be bought out of the final year of his contract, which will be his eighth season with the Lakers, the longest consecutive stretch spent with one organization in his career.”

The idea of James requesting a trade from the Lakers took flight after his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, issued the following statement to NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN:

“LeBron wants to compete for a championship. 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.”

This statement by Paul was likely James’ way of putting pressure on Rob Pelinka to improve the Lakers’ roster. Los Angeles, despite having James and Luka Doncic, lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games.

James, 40, is the oldest active player in the NBA. He finished sixth in MVP voting and made the All-NBA Second Team last season, proving that he’s still an elite player.

A four-time MVP, James will make $52.6 million next season in the final year of his contract. The forward has the option of requesting a trade from the Lakers during next season if the team struggles.

One of the best players in NBA history, James has been with the Lakers since 2018. He guided the organization to the 2020 championship against the Miami Heat.