LeBron James won’t be traded by the Los Angeles Lakers, per agent Rich Paul.
Paul released the following statement to Brian Windhorst of ESPN: “LeBron won’t be traded, and we aren’t asking to be.”
KTLA sports anchor and reporter David Pingalore tweeted yesterday that the Lakers were looking to trade LeBron. Pingalore had sources who were right about LeBron going back to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014 and Kawhi Leonard signing with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019.
LeBron is making $47.6 million this season. He has a player option worth $51.4 million for next season. If the four-time champion declines his player option, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: LeBron James, Rich Paul, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
LeBron is averaging 24.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.6 blocks this season while shooting 52.0% from the field, 39.7% from beyond the arc and 72.6% from the free-throw line. He’s still one of the best basketball players in the world despite being the oldest player (39) in the NBA.
The Lakers are 25-25. They are in ninth place in the Western Conference standings. If the season ended today, LeBron and Co. would be in the play-in tournament for the third time in four years.
LeBron joined the Lakers in the summer of 2018 as an unrestricted free agent. He guided LAL to the 2020 championship over the Miami Heat in six games at the Walt Disney World bubble. LeBron is averaging 27.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.7 blocks with the Lakers.
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer, LeBron wants to play with his son, Bronny, in the NBA. Bronny is eligible for the 2024 draft. LeBron can decline his 2024-25 player option with the Lakers and sign with the team Bronny gets drafted by.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: LeBron James, Rich Paul, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, the Lakers have not spoken to LeBron’s camp about his future plans.
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