EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- While LeBron James enters his eighth season with the Los Angeles Lakers in a contract year, coach JJ Redick's future with the team is much more clear after being signed to an extension.

The lack of a long-term pact between the Lakers and the 40-year-old James, who picked up the $52.6 million option for the 2025-26 season in June, has fueled speculation about the superstar's future as the team opens training camp next week.

Rob Pelinka, president of basketball operations and general manager, insisted Thursday that the Lakers hope to remain in the LeBron business as long as the four-time champion wants to be with them.

"The first thing we want to do in terms of LeBron and his future is just give him absolute respect to choose his story with his family in terms of

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