Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James have been in the news quite often in the past two weeks. After the reports were revealed that the Lakers wanted to go from James following his decision to oppose the last year of his contract, the commercial rumors immediately started to swirl.
Despite the creeping rumors, James stays with Los Angeles. It does not seem that it is likely to separate from the franchise this offseason.
If anything, James and the Lakers could separate after the 2025-26 season. His contract will end and he will have a decision to make retirement or reading potentially for another team. There is still a chance that Los Angeles could also re-sign it.
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That said, the commonly accepted idea was that the two parties are not on good terms.
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A new quote from a Lakers frame can start putting these rumors in bed.
As shared by Keith Smith of SpotracThe executive clearly indicated that the team is happy that James still remains part of the franchise.
“Whenever you sign a player to an agreement with an option, you willingly give them control to initially guide the situation,” said the executive. “But this notion that a player option gives the player that all the power is quite silly. If he withdraws, the team is then a partner to sign them or not. If he opposes, then the team is a partner in everything that is happening too.
After these comments, it is quite clear that Los Angeles is comfortable with the fact that James is in the team. Lakers may not consider their future with James as a long-term future, but the 2025-26 season seems to be clearly in their plans.
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Los Angeles last season, James played 70 games. He collected an average of 24.4 points per match to accompany 8.2 assists, 7.8 rebounds and a flight. James also fired 51.3% from the soil and 37.6% at three points.
Even at 40, James remains one of the best players in Nba. He could still play for three or four years at this rate.
While rumors have provided a lot of entertainment and dramas, the Lakers seem more than happy to keep James this season and the two parties will have to make a decision on the off -season about the future.
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