Apr 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) brings the ball up court against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Lakers still believe that they are in a great position to win a championship with both LeBron James and Luka Doncic on the roster. They are still two of the top 15 players in the league.
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James' future in Los Angeles has become murkier in the last few months, after the team shifted to building around Doncic and the future of the team.
James doesn't seem thrilled by that revelation, and there have been trade rumors swirling around him for a while. A Lakers insider has given an update on where that situation stands.
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According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, James is going to be in Los Angeles for training camp, and they fully expect him to play all season with the Lakers, but he is leaving all scenarios on the table.
"All indications are that James will be in training camp at the end of September and will play his 23rd NBA season with the Lakers. But I really don't want to make any guesses, informed or not, about how James views his future, either as a Laker or as an NBA player."
James has never asked for a trade in his long, 20-plus-year career. He has only ever left via free agency, and that seems unlikely to start this late in his career. He only has a couple of years left.
There aren't a lot of options for James to consider this late into the offseason, either. If he wants to change teams, he likely will wait until next season to opt out if he wants to leave Los Angeles.
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Los Angeles continues to expect James to be at his best this season for another run at a title. After making some improvements on the roster, specifically at the center spot, they feel good about their chances of improving from last year.
James is going to be better now that he's had Doncic to work out with for an entire offseason. Doncic is going to be more comfortable in this city, too.