Those looking for a positive updates with regard to LeBron James staying as a part of the Los Angeles Lakers were given just that by Dave McMenamin on Saturday. However, shrewd as always, Rich Paul did not completely concede the power in the situation to the Lakers.
With LeBron James at the Lakers game tonight, I asked him if he would like to speak to me about his future with the franchise. “I ain’t got nothing to talk about,” he said. My report for ESPN from Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/sFRgCYHmqw
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) July 13, 2025
James attended the Lakers' matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans at the NBA Summer League on Saturday. The all-time great chose to pass on an opportunity to speak with McMenamin in an interview. However, the ESPN reporter had plenty of intel to add on the situation himself.
McMenamin reminded everyone the initial spark of the chaos in Los Angeles was the statement made by Paul, James' agent, after picking up the player option for 2025-26. Despite the strong message about contending in his final years, there was reassurance offered in no formal trade request being made by LeBron.
However, Paul made sure to drop the nugget for McMenamin that 'four teams contacted him with interesting in trading for LeBron.' James may not be rushing out of town, as other insider reports have tried to stir up, but that does not mean the four-time MVP is completely content with the status quo.
Lakers do not hold all the cards with LeBron James
The pressing desire to leave Los Angeles may not be there for James. If there did come a point, though, when the NBA's all-time leading scorer did want to leave, the message is abundantly clear from Paul. There is a market for James' services.
For all the talk surrounding James' age, why wouldn't there be? James is a senior citizen by the number attached to his birth year alone. His on-court production has not aligned with his 40 years on the planet just yet.
James will head into his record-breaking 23rd NBA season still hovering in or around the top 10 best players in the league. The Lakers superstar just finished a season that was rewarded with an appearance on the All-NBA Second Team.
There may be a limit to how many more seasons James spends in the NBA. However, the quality of those remaining seasons has yet to receive reason for major doubt.
This is what I’m saying! LeBron was an All-NBA guy last year AND you have Luka.
That should be enough to feel confident in expending assets to try and win now. https://t.co/k82qSLnRT1
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) July 11, 2025
The takeaway here should be simple. James likely wants to remain with the Lakers. However, treading water as a good, not great, team is not of interest for the legendary superstar in his final years.
These are the stages of LeBron's career where one more major accolade (like a fifth championship) could really strengthen his already impressive case to be considered the greatest player in NBA history. If the Lakers are not motivated to help push for that achievement, someone else will.