LeBron James is expected to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers for training camp despite widespread speculation about his future, according to league sources who spoke with The Athletic. The Lakers have received no indication from James or his representatives about requesting a trade or buyout from his $52.6 million contract.
James appeared at the Thomas & Mack Center on Monday night, where he interacted with teammates and posed for pictures with new Lakers players Jake LaRavia and Deandre Ayton. The appearance came amid continued rumors about potential destinations for James.
Recent comments from James' agent Rich Paul sparked renewed trade speculation throughout the league. Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports, addressed James' future with the organization last month.
"LeBron knows the Lakers are building for the future, and he also wants to compete for championships. 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," Paul said.
League and team sources noted that Paul has made similar comments during previous contract negotiations with both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Lakers.
NBA salary cap rules create significant obstacles for any potential James trade. Teams frequently mentioned as destinations, including Cleveland, face restrictions due to being over the second apron. The Cavaliers cannot aggregate salaries in trades, making it nearly impossible to match James' current contract.
James holds a full no-trade clause, giving him complete control over any potential destination. The upcoming season will mark his eighth consecutive year with the Lakers, the longest consecutive tenure with one organization in his career.
The Lakers didn't offer James a contract extension this offseason and reportedly view him now as an expiring contract as they maintain flexibility for 2026 and 2027, which could be a contributing element of his cryptic behavior.
