The hypothesis was rampant throughout the league when information of James’ resolution broke, with rival executives questioning if this was a precursor to a commerce request (James, keep in mind, has a no-trade clause and will thus management any such transfer). Or, after all, it may very well be one more try to use strain to the entrance workplace to discover a manner so as to add impactful expertise. Both manner, it’s changing into more and more clear that — even when James doesn’t retire subsequent summer season — this may very well be his final season in a Lakers uniform.Supply: New York Occasions
What’s the excitement on Twitter?
Yossi Gozlan @YossiGozlan
ICYMI
@SamQuinnCBS and I reacted to the Deandre Ayton buyout because it was reported in actual time. We pinpointed a few dozen groups that make sense with the Lakers because the almost definitely suitor.
We additionally went over the 4 most obvious LeBron James groups, and extra! pic.x.com/MJ9bTl5P48 – 12:26 AM
ICYMI
@SamQuinnCBS and I reacted to the Deandre Ayton buyout because it was reported in actual time. We pinpointed a few dozen groups that make sense with the Lakers because the almost definitely suitor.
We additionally went over the 4 most obvious LeBron James groups, and extra! pic.x.com/MJ9bTl5P48 – 12:26 AM
Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
I’m LIVE on the @SportingTrib’s X speaking about LeBron James opting in to taking part in subsequent season however possibly not opting in to being with the Lakers, the Clippers hitching their wagon to Kawhi Leonard and James Harden for the following two 12 months and the Poop Cruise. x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 11:12 PM
I’m LIVE on the @SportingTrib’s X speaking about LeBron James opting in to taking part in subsequent season however possibly not opting in to being with the Lakers, the Clippers hitching their wagon to Kawhi Leonard and James Harden for the following two 12 months and the Poop Cruise. x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 11:12 PM
Sam Amick @sam_amick
On LeBron James’ contract resolution, what led to it and the way the Luka Doncic issue got here into play for the Lakers, at @TheAthletic
nytimes.com/athletic/64615… – 10:45 PM
On LeBron James’ contract resolution, what led to it and the way the Luka Doncic issue got here into play for the Lakers, at @TheAthletic
nytimes.com/athletic/64615… – 10:45 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
Yossi and are I gonna discuss LeBron trades.
We’ll speak about different stuff however… we’re speaking about LeBron trades.
x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 10:24 PM
Yossi and are I gonna discuss LeBron trades.
We’ll speak about different stuff however… we’re speaking about LeBron trades.
x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 10:24 PM
Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
Going stay right here in like 5 minutes with @Motorcityhoops to interrupt down the early offseason motion
-Rockets strikes
-Wolves retain Randle, Reid
– Harden deal
-LeBron opts in, however weirdly
-Weirdo Sexton/Nurkic deal
-Cavs offers
-Extra
youtube.com/stay/wSNfBZnlh… pic.x.com/dW6UuYJFIz – 9:53 PM
Going stay right here in like 5 minutes with @Motorcityhoops to interrupt down the early offseason motion
-Rockets strikes
-Wolves retain Randle, Reid
– Harden deal
-LeBron opts in, however weirdly
-Weirdo Sexton/Nurkic deal
-Cavs offers
-Extra
youtube.com/stay/wSNfBZnlh… pic.x.com/dW6UuYJFIz – 9:53 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
If LeBron James is courtside in Vegas on July 10 to look at Bronny-Cooper, which of the 2 groups is he extra more likely to play for this season, Los Angeles or Dallas?
I’m solely half-kidding. Onerous to see a state of affairs wherein the Mavericks can tackle his $52M wage, but when LeBron – 7:45 PM
If LeBron James is courtside in Vegas on July 10 to look at Bronny-Cooper, which of the 2 groups is he extra more likely to play for this season, Los Angeles or Dallas?
I’m solely half-kidding. Onerous to see a state of affairs wherein the Mavericks can tackle his $52M wage, but when LeBron – 7:45 PM
Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
LeBron James will end the 2025-26 season with… – 7:37 PM
LeBron James will end the 2025-26 season with… – 7:37 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
Cue the Coming Residence montages as a result of LeBron James returning to Cleveland is smart for everybody.
cbssports.com/nba/information/what-… – 7:08 PM
Cue the Coming Residence montages as a result of LeBron James returning to Cleveland is smart for everybody.
cbssports.com/nba/information/what-… – 7:08 PM
Allen Sliwa @AllenSliwa
Enjoyable present this morning on KEY Laker Tales…
-Lebron Opts In | Is This Closing Yr As A Laker?
-Market For Middle Costly, No Excuses
-DFS Turns into Free Agent
youtube.com/stay/_2aOqLOZP… – 4:14 PM
Enjoyable present this morning on KEY Laker Tales…
-Lebron Opts In | Is This Closing Yr As A Laker?
-Market For Middle Costly, No Excuses
-DFS Turns into Free Agent
youtube.com/stay/_2aOqLOZP… – 4:14 PM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
LeBron James has issued a warning to the Lakers. Will they reply?
foxsports.com/tales/wnba/l… – 3:17 PM
LeBron James has issued a warning to the Lakers. Will they reply?
foxsports.com/tales/wnba/l… – 3:17 PM
Khobi Worth @khobi_price
The @ocregister story on LeBron James selecting up his 2025-26 participant possibility with Lakers for an unprecedented twenty third NBA season, Dorian Finney-Smith declining his possibility and the place LAL stands getting into free company: ocregister.com/2025/06/29/leb… – 2:26 PM
The @ocregister story on LeBron James selecting up his 2025-26 participant possibility with Lakers for an unprecedented twenty third NBA season, Dorian Finney-Smith declining his possibility and the place LAL stands getting into free company: ocregister.com/2025/06/29/leb… – 2:26 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
LeBron rumors have gotten severe sufficient that my Cleveland-born brother in legislation and I are overtly discussing “LeBron” as a center identify for my new child niece—due in the midst of July—if a commerce aligns with the date of her delivery. – 2:24 PM
LeBron rumors have gotten severe sufficient that my Cleveland-born brother in legislation and I are overtly discussing “LeBron” as a center identify for my new child niece—due in the midst of July—if a commerce aligns with the date of her delivery. – 2:24 PM
Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
Los Angles Lakers’ offseason plans after LeBron James OPTS IN
youtu.be/rDZtxFS7H6s?si…
through @YouTube – 2:20 PM
Los Angles Lakers’ offseason plans after LeBron James OPTS IN
youtu.be/rDZtxFS7H6s?si…
through @YouTube – 2:20 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Welcome to being LeBron’s teammate, Luka – 2:06 PM
Welcome to being LeBron’s teammate, Luka – 2:06 PM
Allen Sliwa @AllenSliwa
Lebron Opts IN | Lakers Have To Construct For Future | Finney-Smith Enters Free Company x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 1:35 PM
Lebron Opts IN | Lakers Have To Construct For Future | Finney-Smith Enters Free Company x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 1:35 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
What’s so fascinating about this LeBron to Cleveland stuff is that it’s virtually a guilt-free manner for the Cavs to save lots of a bunch of cash.
They’d HAVE to get beneath the second apron to legally purchase him, and he’s solely underneath contract for yet another tremendous costly season. – 1:20 PM
What’s so fascinating about this LeBron to Cleveland stuff is that it’s virtually a guilt-free manner for the Cavs to save lots of a bunch of cash.
They’d HAVE to get beneath the second apron to legally purchase him, and he’s solely underneath contract for yet another tremendous costly season. – 1:20 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
I’ve been tinkering with LeBron-to-Cleveland trades. It’s laborious given their monetary state of affairs. They’d need to get beneath the second apron to mixture. Proper now, they’re round $20 million above it. So, financially talking, it must be constructed round Garland, not Allen. pic.x.com/pH2w1qcYzV – 12:04 PM
I’ve been tinkering with LeBron-to-Cleveland trades. It’s laborious given their monetary state of affairs. They’d need to get beneath the second apron to mixture. Proper now, they’re round $20 million above it. So, financially talking, it must be constructed round Garland, not Allen. pic.x.com/pH2w1qcYzV – 12:04 PM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
LeBron on-court earnings, give or take …
With Lakers: $350 million
With Warmth and Cavs mixed: $230 million
I believe this can be a lesson in compounding curiosity, or one thing – 11:57 AM
LeBron on-court earnings, give or take …
With Lakers: $350 million
With Warmth and Cavs mixed: $230 million
I believe this can be a lesson in compounding curiosity, or one thing – 11:57 AM
Brad Turner @BA_Turner
Sources confined that LeBron James has exercised his $52.6 million participant choice to play for Lakers and play his twenty third NBA season – 11:55 AM
Sources confined that LeBron James has exercised his $52.6 million participant choice to play for Lakers and play his twenty third NBA season – 11:55 AM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
After LeBron James opted into his contract, Wealthy Paul has made it clear that the strain is on the Lakers to construct a successful roster. There’s a lingering unwritten “or else” there… – 11:49 AM
After LeBron James opted into his contract, Wealthy Paul has made it clear that the strain is on the Lakers to construct a successful roster. There’s a lingering unwritten “or else” there… – 11:49 AM
Vivek Jacob @vivekmjacob
LeBron seeing the vast open East pic.x.com/SKCJzVM7AT – 11:43 AM
LeBron seeing the vast open East pic.x.com/SKCJzVM7AT – 11:43 AM
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Reporting on @SportsCenter — LeBron James opts in on $52.6 million for the 2025-26 season however is evaluating his Lakers future: pic.x.com/ZQWEJLUNqo – 11:41 AM
Reporting on @SportsCenter — LeBron James opts in on $52.6 million for the 2025-26 season however is evaluating his Lakers future: pic.x.com/ZQWEJLUNqo – 11:41 AM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
LeBron James opts into $52.6M take care of Lakers for subsequent season #NBA
eurohoops.internet/en/nba-news/18… – 11:34 AM
LeBron James opts into $52.6M take care of Lakers for subsequent season #NBA
eurohoops.internet/en/nba-news/18… – 11:34 AM
Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
Lakers offseason with LeBron opting-in
* Lakers have the $5.7M tax ML if Dorian Finney-Smith opts-in.
* They are going to have the $14.1M non-tax ML if Smith opts-out and indicators with a brand new group pic.x.com/sMOEZF0gGl – 11:33 AM
Lakers offseason with LeBron opting-in
* Lakers have the $5.7M tax ML if Dorian Finney-Smith opts-in.
* They are going to have the $14.1M non-tax ML if Smith opts-out and indicators with a brand new group pic.x.com/sMOEZF0gGl – 11:33 AM
Yossi Gozlan @YossiGozlan
Lakers possible a primary apron group with LeBron James opting in and if Dorian Finney-Smith returns.
They’d be restricted to one hundred pc wage matches in trades and the $5.7 million tax MLE.
They might open up extra commerce choices and the $14.1 million non-tax MLE by lowering payroll. – 11:21 AM
Lakers possible a primary apron group with LeBron James opting in and if Dorian Finney-Smith returns.
They’d be restricted to one hundred pc wage matches in trades and the $5.7 million tax MLE.
They might open up extra commerce choices and the $14.1 million non-tax MLE by lowering payroll. – 11:21 AM
Regulation Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
8 straight seasons for LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers
Left Cleveland after 7, left Miami after 4, left Cleveland once more after 4 – 11:15 AM
8 straight seasons for LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers
Left Cleveland after 7, left Miami after 4, left Cleveland once more after 4 – 11:15 AM
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Breaking: Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James is opting into his $52.6 million participant possibility for the 2025-26 season, Klutch Sports activities CEO Wealthy Paul informed ESPN.
Paul provides: LeBron “is aware of the Lakers are constructing for the long run … however he values a sensible probability of successful all of it.” pic.x.com/q5mT1O2R35 – 11:12 AM
Breaking: Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James is opting into his $52.6 million participant possibility for the 2025-26 season, Klutch Sports activities CEO Wealthy Paul informed ESPN.
Paul provides: LeBron “is aware of the Lakers are constructing for the long run … however he values a sensible probability of successful all of it.” pic.x.com/q5mT1O2R35 – 11:12 AM
Extra on this storyline
However earlier than his return to the courtroom, he had been coaching within the weight room along with his son, Lakers guard Bronny James, sources informed ESPN, their first prolonged offseason collectively after final summer season’s Paris Olympics. And whereas James has thought of retirement each offseason since 2023, a supply aware of James’ pondering informed ESPN that at this level, James shouldn’t be getting into subsequent season with any certainty that it is going to be his final. -via ESPN / June 30, 2025
Staff sources say LeBron James and the Lakers didn’t focus on offers that will have added years to his Lakers tenure that started in 2018, both by means of extension or with him opting out and signing a brand new deal. Conversely, James and his camp signaled months in the past that there can be no reductions supplied this time round (the Lakers, group sources say, didn’t suggest any kind of discounted deal out of respect for James). -via New York Occasions / June 29, 2025
If the Lakers have any hope of staying nimble within the essential years to come back, and doubtlessly including the following co-star to place alongside Luka Dončić after James is gone, then it behooves them to take care of as a lot flexibility as potential. The second-apron realities of immediately’s NBA imply that elite skills might shake unfastened at any time, with homeowners who pushed for this digital laborious cap now dealing with its grave penalties. -via New York Occasions / June 29, 2025
