Rumor: LeBron James’ Relationship With Lakers’ Front Office Not ‘In The Best Place Right Now’

According to NBA insider Jovan Buha, LeBron James‘ relationship with the Los Angeles Lakers‘ front office is not “in the best place right now.”

James, 40, picked up his 2025-26 player option with the Lakers, who have not announced that yet. 

“I wanna be careful with what I say about like Bron’s relationship with the front office or the organization, but I don’t think it’s in like the best place right now to be completely honest,” Buha said. “There’s been no official statement about LeBron opting in. There typically is, especially for a player of that magnitude.

“And then he’s had his stuff on social media or whatever he’s posted and there was obviously the statement when he opted in. So I don’t think things are in the best place they’ve ever been. I’ll just say that.”

James 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 NBA. 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.

After James picked up his 2025-26 player option, his agent (Rich Paul) issued a very cryptic statement to 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 will make $52.6 million next season, making it very difficult for teams to trade for him if he requests a trade.