Despite the growing noise surrounding LeBron James at the NBA summer league, the Los Angeles Lakers never entertained trade or buyout talks with the four-time NBA champion. The report sheds light on weeks of speculation that intensified after James picked up his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season.

Rich Paul, LeBron’s agent, recently tried to cool the conversation and insisted there are no plans for James to leave the Lakers. League sources told the Athletic that the team and those close to James fully expect him to report for training camp. This upcoming season will mark James’s eighth straight year with the Lakers, his longest run with a single franchise.

There is no indication from James that a trade request or buyout is coming. James’s visit to the Cleveland Cav

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