The speculation was rampant all around the league when news of James’ decision broke, with rival executives wondering if this was a precursor to a trade request (James, remember, has a no-trade clause and could thus control any such move). Or, of course, it could be yet another attempt to apply pressure to the front office to find a way to add impactful talent. Either way, it’s becoming increasingly clear that — even if James doesn’t retire next summer — this could be his last season in a Lakers uniform.
Source: New York Times
Source: New York Times
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Yossi Gozlan @YossiGozlan
ICYMI
@SamQuinnCBS and I reacted to the Deandre Ayton buyout as it was reported in real time. We pinpointed about a dozen teams that make sense with the Lakers as the most likely suitor.
We also went over the four most logical LeBron James teams, and more! pic.x.com/MJ9bTl5P48 – 12:26 AM
ICYMI
@SamQuinnCBS and I reacted to the Deandre Ayton buyout as it was reported in real time. We pinpointed about a dozen teams that make sense with the Lakers as the most likely suitor.
We also went over the four most logical LeBron James teams, and more! pic.x.com/MJ9bTl5P48 – 12:26 AM
Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
I’m LIVE on the @SportingTrib’s X talking about LeBron James opting in to playing next season but maybe not opting in to being with the Lakers, the Clippers hitching their wagon to Kawhi Leonard and James Harden for the next two year and the Poop Cruise. x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 11:12 PM
I’m LIVE on the @SportingTrib’s X talking about LeBron James opting in to playing next season but maybe not opting in to being with the Lakers, the Clippers hitching their wagon to Kawhi Leonard and James Harden for the next two year and the Poop Cruise. x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 11:12 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
Yossi and are I gonna talk LeBron trades.
We’ll talk about other stuff but… we’re talking about LeBron trades.
x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 10:24 PM
Yossi and are I gonna talk LeBron trades.
We’ll talk about other stuff but… we’re talking about LeBron trades.
x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 10:24 PM
Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
Going live here in like five minutes with @Motorcityhoops to break down the early offseason action
-Rockets moves
-Wolves retain Randle, Reid
– Harden deal
-LeBron opts in, but weirdly
-Weirdo Sexton/Nurkic deal
-Cavs deals
-More
youtube.com/live/wSNfBZnlh… pic.x.com/dW6UuYJFIz – 9:53 PM
Going live here in like five minutes with @Motorcityhoops to break down the early offseason action
-Rockets moves
-Wolves retain Randle, Reid
– Harden deal
-LeBron opts in, but weirdly
-Weirdo Sexton/Nurkic deal
-Cavs deals
-More
youtube.com/live/wSNfBZnlh… pic.x.com/dW6UuYJFIz – 9:53 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
If LeBron James is courtside in Vegas on July 10 to watch Bronny-Cooper, which of the two teams is he more likely to play for this season, Los Angeles or Dallas?
I’m only half-kidding. Hard to see a scenario in which the Mavericks can take on his $52M salary, but if LeBron – 7:45 PM
If LeBron James is courtside in Vegas on July 10 to watch Bronny-Cooper, which of the two teams is he more likely to play for this season, Los Angeles or Dallas?
I’m only half-kidding. Hard to see a scenario in which the Mavericks can take on his $52M salary, but if LeBron – 7:45 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
Cue the Coming Home montages because LeBron James returning to Cleveland makes sense for everyone.
cbssports.com/nba/news/what-… – 7:08 PM
Cue the Coming Home montages because LeBron James returning to Cleveland makes sense for everyone.
cbssports.com/nba/news/what-… – 7:08 PM
Allen Sliwa @AllenSliwa
Fun show this morning on KEY Laker Stories…
-Lebron Opts In | Is This Final Year As A Laker?
-Market For Center Expensive, No Excuses
-DFS Becomes Free Agent
youtube.com/live/_2aOqLOZP… – 4:14 PM
Fun show this morning on KEY Laker Stories…
-Lebron Opts In | Is This Final Year As A Laker?
-Market For Center Expensive, No Excuses
-DFS Becomes Free Agent
youtube.com/live/_2aOqLOZP… – 4:14 PM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
LeBron James has issued a warning to the Lakers. Will they respond?
foxsports.com/stories/wnba/l… – 3:17 PM
LeBron James has issued a warning to the Lakers. Will they respond?
foxsports.com/stories/wnba/l… – 3:17 PM
Khobi Price @khobi_price
The @ocregister story on LeBron James picking up his 2025-26 player option with Lakers for an unprecedented 23rd NBA season, Dorian Finney-Smith declining his option and where LAL stands entering free agency: ocregister.com/2025/06/29/leb… – 2:26 PM
The @ocregister story on LeBron James picking up his 2025-26 player option with Lakers for an unprecedented 23rd NBA season, Dorian Finney-Smith declining his option and where LAL stands entering free agency: ocregister.com/2025/06/29/leb… – 2:26 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
LeBron rumors have gotten serious enough that my Cleveland-born brother in law and I are openly discussing “LeBron” as a middle name for my newborn niece—due in the middle of July—if a trade aligns with the date of her birth. – 2:24 PM
LeBron rumors have gotten serious enough that my Cleveland-born brother in law and I are openly discussing “LeBron” as a middle name for my newborn niece—due in the middle of July—if a trade aligns with the date of her birth. – 2:24 PM
Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
Los Angles Lakers’ offseason plans after LeBron James OPTS IN
youtu.be/rDZtxFS7H6s?si…
via @YouTube – 2:20 PM
Los Angles Lakers’ offseason plans after LeBron James OPTS IN
youtu.be/rDZtxFS7H6s?si…
via @YouTube – 2:20 PM
Allen Sliwa @AllenSliwa
Lebron Opts IN | Lakers Have To Build For Future | Finney-Smith Enters Free Agency x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 1:35 PM
Lebron Opts IN | Lakers Have To Build For Future | Finney-Smith Enters Free Agency x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 1:35 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
What’s so interesting about this LeBron to Cleveland stuff is that it’s almost a guilt-free way for the Cavs to save a bunch of money.
They’d HAVE to get below the second apron to legally acquire him, and he’s only under contract for one more super expensive season. – 1:20 PM
What’s so interesting about this LeBron to Cleveland stuff is that it’s almost a guilt-free way for the Cavs to save a bunch of money.
They’d HAVE to get below the second apron to legally acquire him, and he’s only under contract for one more super expensive season. – 1:20 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
I’ve been tinkering with LeBron-to-Cleveland trades. It’s hard given their financial situation. They’d have to get below the second apron to aggregate. Right now, they’re around $20 million above it. So, financially speaking, it would have to be built around Garland, not Allen. pic.x.com/pH2w1qcYzV – 12:04 PM
I’ve been tinkering with LeBron-to-Cleveland trades. It’s hard given their financial situation. They’d have to get below the second apron to aggregate. Right now, they’re around $20 million above it. So, financially speaking, it would have to be built around Garland, not Allen. pic.x.com/pH2w1qcYzV – 12:04 PM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
LeBron on-court earnings, give or take …
With Lakers: $350 million
With Heat and Cavs combined: $230 million
I think this is a lesson in compounding interest, or something – 11:57 AM
LeBron on-court earnings, give or take …
With Lakers: $350 million
With Heat and Cavs combined: $230 million
I think this is a lesson in compounding interest, or something – 11:57 AM
Brad Turner @BA_Turner
Sources confined that LeBron James has exercised his $52.6 million player option to play for Lakers and play his 23rd NBA season – 11:55 AM
Sources confined that LeBron James has exercised his $52.6 million player option to play for Lakers and play his 23rd NBA season – 11:55 AM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
After LeBron James opted into his contract, Rich Paul has made it clear that the pressure is on the Lakers to build a winning roster. There’s a lingering unwritten “or else” there… – 11:49 AM
After LeBron James opted into his contract, Rich Paul has made it clear that the pressure is on the Lakers to build a winning roster. There’s a lingering unwritten “or else” there… – 11:49 AM
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Reporting on @SportsCenter — LeBron James opts in on $52.6 million for the 2025-26 season but is evaluating his Lakers future: pic.x.com/ZQWEJLUNqo – 11:41 AM
Reporting on @SportsCenter — LeBron James opts in on $52.6 million for the 2025-26 season but is evaluating his Lakers future: pic.x.com/ZQWEJLUNqo – 11:41 AM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
LeBron James opts into $52.6M deal with Lakers for next season #NBA
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/18… – 11:34 AM
LeBron James opts into $52.6M deal with Lakers for next season #NBA
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/18… – 11:34 AM
Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
Lakers offseason with LeBron opting-in
* Lakers have the $5.7M tax ML if Dorian Finney-Smith opts-in.
* They will have the $14.1M non-tax ML if Smith opts-out and signs with a new team pic.x.com/sMOEZF0gGl – 11:33 AM
Lakers offseason with LeBron opting-in
* Lakers have the $5.7M tax ML if Dorian Finney-Smith opts-in.
* They will have the $14.1M non-tax ML if Smith opts-out and signs with a new team pic.x.com/sMOEZF0gGl – 11:33 AM
Yossi Gozlan @YossiGozlan
Lakers likely a first apron team with LeBron James opting in and if Dorian Finney-Smith returns.
They’d be limited to 100 percent salary matches in trades and the $5.7 million tax MLE.
They could open up more trade options and the $14.1 million non-tax MLE by reducing payroll. – 11:21 AM
Lakers likely a first apron team with LeBron James opting in and if Dorian Finney-Smith returns.
They’d be limited to 100 percent salary matches in trades and the $5.7 million tax MLE.
They could open up more trade options and the $14.1 million non-tax MLE by reducing payroll. – 11:21 AM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
8 straight seasons for LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers
Left Cleveland after 7, left Miami after 4, left Cleveland again after 4 – 11:15 AM
8 straight seasons for LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers
Left Cleveland after 7, left Miami after 4, left Cleveland again after 4 – 11:15 AM
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Breaking: Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James is opting into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN.
Paul adds: LeBron “knows the Lakers are building for the future … but he values a realistic chance of winning it all.” pic.x.com/q5mT1O2R35 – 11:12 AM
Breaking: Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James is opting into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN.
Paul adds: LeBron “knows the Lakers are building for the future … but he values a realistic chance of winning it all.” pic.x.com/q5mT1O2R35 – 11:12 AM
More on this storyline
But before his return to the court, he had been training in the weight room with his son, Lakers guard Bronny James, sources told ESPN, their first extended offseason together after last summer’s Paris Olympics. And while James has considered retirement every offseason since 2023, a source familiar with James’ thinking told ESPN that at this point, James is not entering next season with any certainty that it will be his last. -via ESPN / June 30, 2025
Team sources say LeBron James and the Lakers did not discuss deals that would have added years to his Lakers tenure that began in 2018, either by way of extension or with him opting out and signing a new deal. Conversely, James and his camp signaled months ago that there would be no discounts offered this time around (the Lakers, team sources say, didn’t propose any sort of discounted deal out of respect for James). -via New York Times / June 29, 2025
If the Lakers have any hope of staying nimble in the crucial years to come, and potentially adding the next co-star to put alongside Luka Dončić after James is gone, then it behooves them to maintain as much flexibility as possible. The second-apron realities of today’s NBA mean that elite talents could shake loose at any time, with owners who pushed for this virtual hard cap now facing its grave consequences. -via New York Times / June 29, 2025