Source: Noise about LeBron being unhappy has come from teams trying to get him

After LeBron James picked up his 2025-26 season player option with the Los Angeles Lakers, his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, released a cryptic statement to Shams Charania of ESPN.

Paul’s statement was so enigmatic that many people around the NBA thought James was upset with the Lakers and would request a trade.

However, a source told Lakers Daily that James has never thought about requesting a trade from the Lakers and noise about the leading scorer in NBA history being disgruntled with the Purple and Gold has come from teams trying to get him.

Essentially, teams that want James have been leaking rumors about the future Hall of Famer being unhappy with the Lakers to reporters when it’s not remotely true, the source said.

Lakers Daily reported in September that James didn’t ask the Lakers for an extension this offseason because he doesn’t know if he’s going to play next season.

James, 40, turns 41 in December. He’s the oldest active player in the NBA and has been in the league since 2003. It sounds pretty obvious, but James wants to finish his career with his son Bronny, which is why a trade request has never been brought up, the source said.

The Lakers have started the season 7-2. Luka Doncic looks like the best basketball player in the world, as he’s averaging 40.0 points per game, while Austin Reaves is playing like an All-Star. The undrafted guard is averaging a career-high 31.1 points per game.

James has close relationships with Doncic and Reaves, the source said. The three players believe the Lakers have what it takes to win it all this season, the source said, after Rob Pelinka signed Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia this offseason.

A four-time champion, James is expected to make his season debut in mid-November, the source said. Lakers head coach JJ Redick will start Doncic, Reaves, Rui Hachimura, James and Ayton once James is back in the lineup.