Rumor: LeBron James, Lakers Trade Talk ‘Kind Of Gotten Quiet’

LeBron James and Los Angeles Lakers trade talk has “kind of gotten quiet,” according to NBA insider Zach Lowe of The Ringer. 

LeBron is expected to begin next season with the Lakers. 

“LeBron’s on the Lakers. I’ve heard it’s kind of gotten quiet now after it was the talk of Summer League,” Lowe said on The Bill Simmons Podcast. “There doesn’t seem to be like a clean solution either way. Everyone’s saying we should expect them to be on the Lakers. That’s my expectation.”

LeBron will make $52.6 million next season in the final year of his contract. He turns 41 in December. The NBA legend is the oldest active player in the league. 

LeBron’s future with the Lakers became a burning topic after his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, told 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.”

That statement by Paul was to put pressure on Rob Pelinka to improve Los Angeles’ roster and it worked, as the Lakers have added Jak LaRavia, Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart. 

Luka Doncic recruited Ayton and Smart to the Lakers. 

Despite being the oldest active player in the NBA, LeBron is still an elite offensive weapon. He averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists last season in 70 games.

The leading scorer of all time finished sixth in MVP voting and made the All-NBA Second Team last season. 

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