L.A. Lakers Did Not Entertain Serious Talks About LeBron James Being Traded During the Off-Season
The Los Angeles Lakers have made significant moves this off-season, securing the services of superstar Luka Doncic and extending the contract of LeBron James, setting them up for a potential championship run in the 2025-26 season.
LeBron James, who exercised his contract option with the Lakers for the upcoming season, has made it clear that he wants to compete for another NBA title. However, his agent, Rich Paul, has indicated that he might request a trade if James doesn't feel the Lakers can field a title-contending roster.
The Lakers have made strides towards building such a team, signing Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart, and securing Doncic's services. Doncic agreed to a three-year, $165 million maximum contract extension with the Lakers, a deal that recoups all the money lost when he was traded by the Mavericks. This contract also eliminates Doncic's 2026-27 player option.
Doncic and James are set to enter their first full season together in 2025-26. Rich Paul, expressing appreciation for the partnership with the Lakers, considers them a critical part of LeBron's career.
However, the question remains, did the Lakers make enough changes to compete for another NBA title with Doncic and James on their roster? The absence of free agent center Brook Lopez, who opted to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers instead, could be a concern.
It's also worth noting that if the Lakers were to trade LeBron James, he would first have to waive his no-trade clause. However, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, no serious discussions about trading James occurred this summer.
As the Lakers continue to build for the future, the focus remains on creating a roster that can deliver another NBA championship. With Doncic and James leading the charge, the Lakers are poised to make a strong push for the title next season.
Jaxson Hayes also returned to the Lakers on a one-year deal, adding depth to the team's frontcourt. The Lakers are optimistic about their chances, and with LeBron's commitment to competing, the city of Los Angeles can look forward to another exciting season of basketball.
Per ESPN's Bobby Marks, Doncic could opt out of his three-year contract in 2028 and sign a new deal for 35% of the salary cap, which projects to five years and $417 million. This long-term commitment from Doncic further solidifies the Lakers' plans for the future.
Rich Paul stated that LeBron values a realistic chance of winning it all. With the addition of Doncic and the continued development of the Lakers' roster, the team is certainly taking steps towards making that a reality. The 2025-26 season is shaping up to be an exciting one for Lakers fans.
