The easiest LeBron trade fits are the ones that can feasibly do a one-for-one money-wise.The Warriors can match money with Jimmy. The Knicks can match with KAT. So if this ever does get real, those are the two immediate candidates. It's just much harder when it's four-for-one. https://t.co/W8MDT3BTLH— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) July 11, 2025

I'd also ask… what has this front office done to earn the patience it's asking for here?I'm asking that for fans, yes, but I'm also asking that from Luka's perspective. He's been here six months. What have they done so far to prove this is where he should spend his prime? https://t.co/9yBxJrpCe8— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) July 11, 2025

Let’s be real, if LeBron James wanted to leave, he’d make it clear and request a trade. What he’s doing now is putting pressure on the frontoffice to make a move and improve the roster. He’s not here to waste time. He wants to win now & he wants to do it with Bronny by his side.— Ryan Rueda (@iDude14) July 11, 2025

The Lakers informed Luka Doncic about the sale to Mark Walter beforehand (via @AmicoHoops) They did NOT tell LeBron 👀Something, nothing, or everything?? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/dPkxcyfTnV— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) July 11, 2025

…….ok…..I’m going to say one more thing on this then I’m out in all th “Golly Gee Willickers Whatever Will LeBron DO?!?!” crap.. They are getting what they want. Both sides. LBJ wants to get paid, play with his kid and win a ring in exactly that order. Heck, playing with Bronny might even come first. Roch Paul’s corporate BS aside, and the level of attention that has gotten is pathetic to me, means nothing.

Next summer, just 10 months and change from now, there will be questions about what kind of deal it would take to keep James a Laker. By then a lot will have changed. We’ll have seen a full camp and season of what Luka and LeBron can do. If any of our other forthcoming free agents (Reaves and Rui, mainly) take a step forward in their games or show they should remain a part of the core to stay and/or get a raise.

FROM THE ABOVE ARTICLE:

James understood the Lakers taking advantage of an opportunity to pivot to the younger superstar. But from James’ perspective, sources said, nuance was sometimes lost during the transition. Doncic had never asked to be a Laker. James, for his part, had chosen L.A., coming in 2018 when the team had missed the playoffs five consecutive seasons, the worst run for the franchise since it moved from Minneapolis. Two years later, James had helped deliver a 17th championship.

Paul also had to formally inform the Lakers that James intended to pick up the final year of his contract after the team did not engage in any substantial discussions about extending him by a year or two, sources said, as they had twice previously during James’ Lakers’ tenure. It was then that he let the organization know about the coming statement.

The Lakers had already made their statement in not offering James a contract beyond this season. It was abundantly clear that the 21-time All-Star’s time as the face of the Lakers had, for the first time, a planned end date, even if James’ record-setting NBA career did not yet.

Whether the 2025-26 season is to be James’ final season in the NBA is up to him. But if he wanted the kind of Hollywood ending that only the Lakers can give legends of the game, the release date was set.

Spring, 2026.

Luka Doncic in, LeBron James out.

…

Think camp would determine this, not sure if Jake is a better defender than Hachimura. Don’t see us trading 2/3 players for Wiggins

All signs point to the Lakers wanting to move on from LeBron James by the spring of 2026, per @ramonashelburne & @WindhorstESPN “The Lakers had already made their statement in not offering James a contract beyond this season. It was abundantly clear that the 21-time All-Star's… pic.twitter.com/IRxU8lxlwv— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 11, 2025

Who says its LeBron’s last year?

I don’t think offense is going to be our problem this season…but that defense is gonna be a thorn in our side all year long as currently constructed. I’d take the huge upgrade in perimeter defense with Jones and sacrifice some scoring by losing Reeves.

Looking at the meager options actually available to us out there, I’m almost ready to punt on this season. The problem is whether Luka is gonna want to sit still for that process or decides to opt-out and bolt next summer. After watching the playoffs, we ain’t close to catching OKC (nobody is, really) and other teams have probably leapfrogged us this summer. Again, that 3 seed was only about 2 games from being in the play-in. Don’t let the smooth taste fool ya…lol

I don’t remember the Tweet that started LeBron Tweet-Gate a couple years back because I don’t do Twitter but this feels like that level of absurdity now. LeBron and Rich Paul must be incredible fishermen, they can bait a line with a dried turd and a rubber band, throw it in the ocean and fish for days…

Solid game, Lakers missed a ton of free throws, Cooper has some skills but seemed to struggle with even this level of “defense” but he stayed the course. Didn’t love that last play, sloppy execution and timing led to a well contested three.

He would have been instantly inducted into the Basketball Hall Of Fame if he made that shot. The amount of unfair, unrealistic expectations placed on LBJjr is absolutely ridiculous.

If I was Cooper Flagg, I’d attach myself to the hip of Klay Thompson and learn how to be a pro from one of the best. Hopefully he’ll be able to humble himself and take his advice (if Klay is willing to be a mentor to him).

I really have problems with dudes who wait until the money gets funny to decide to start taking their careers more seriously. Can’t trust em when that’s the prime motivation.

Nah.

For me Ayton even with his flaws is better than any of the free agent targets tied to the Lakers. He’s a 20 mil center that we are paying 8 for. He’s was at his best when playing with great play makers like CP3. He didn’t have any in Portland. Now he has 3. It would be great if he blocked more shots. But at 250 pounds he clogs the paint and he isn’t easily moved. You don’t necessarily have to blocks if you are a physical deterrent at the rim and he does that. I think he will have a really good year because he understands that he has to.

Even with a half-ass effort, he was better than any other the other free agent targets.

I don’t recall who brought it up as it being a contract year but that’s always a source of motivation.

The problem was he wasn’t worth his 35 mil price tag. t this price point he is a steal.

11 of 30 NBA teams are currently over the luxury tax:Over the Tax:BOS: $20.3MCLE: $38.4MDAL: $16.6MHOU: $4.5MLAL: $7.1MMIA: $1.4MNYK: $16.2MORL: $5.6MPHI: $8.9M (includes Q. Grimes QO)PHX: $29.9MTOR: $5.2MSeven NBA teams are currently over the first apron:BOS:…— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 9, 2025