Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James’ agent Rich Paul recently made some comments that have led to plenty of people calling the 40-year-old’s future in Los Angeles into question.
When James decided to pick up his player option for the 2025-26 season, Paul told ESPN that James is aware the Lakers are building for the future but values a “realistic chance” of winning a championship, with the agent adding that “we do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career.”
On Wednesday, the Lakers made a move that may get them closer to title contention, as they agreed to a deal with center Deandre Ayton. The news could change how James views his Lakers future for the better. But before that news broke, a report from NBA insider John Gambadoro offered some fascinating quotes from a source close to James.
BREAKING: Deandre Ayton has cleared waivers and is expected to sign with the Lakers, per @ChrisBHaynes 🔥 pic.twitter.com/4ABGbhtF02
— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) July 2, 2025
Gambadoro revealed that some time ago, someone close to James told him James wants “out” of L.A. and that the Lakers want him “gone” themselves.
I was told this after the playoffs by someone close to Lebron- Said "Lebron wants out of LA and they want him gone" "Watch Game 1 how disinterested Lebron was" Now MOST people on here know that my sources are not the 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) July 2, 2025
The Lakers are not clear-cut title contenders at this point in time with free agency now in full swing. While Los Angeles is adding Ayton to the fold, forward Dorian Finney-Smith turned down an opportunity to stay with the Lakers and signed with the Houston Rockets, costing L.A. a capable two-way player.
Even though the Lakers have found a way to strengthen their depth chart at the center position, maybe James will still be unsatisfied with the roster and ask for a trade somewhere else.
If that’s the case, the Golden State Warriors might be a team to keep an eye on in the James sweepstakes. According an ESPN report in 2024, the Warriors pursued James ahead of the 2024 trade deadline.
Plus, James and guard Stephen Curry seem to have built up a mutual respect for one another after all of the playoff battles they have been involved in over the years. The two stars crossed paths in four consecutive NBA Finals from 2015 through 2018.
Meanwhile, there has reportedly been some buzz linking James to the Dallas Mavericks lately. If James truly does become available via trade, there’s no telling which teams will become linked to him.
