LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, has been spotted at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, shaking hands and chatting with his teammates. Despite rumors swirling about his potential departure from the Los Angeles Lakers, sources close to the team say that James will be back for training camp this fall.
The Lakers’ decision to keep James comes as a surprise, given the recent speculation about his future. However, league and team sources have confirmed that there have been no discussions between James and the Lakers about a potential trade or buyout.
James’ agent, Rich Paul, recently stated that LeBron wants to compete for championships and is committed to helping the Lakers build for the future. This sentiment has led some to speculate that James might leave Los Angeles in search of another championship run.
However, those close to James say he’s not the focal point of the team anymore, with Luka Dončić taking on a more prominent role. The Lakers’ roster concerns and salary cap rules also make it difficult for them to trade James without compromising their own goals.
If James were to leave, his former franchise in Cleveland would be a potential destination. However, the Cavs are over the salary cap threshold, making it difficult for them to acquire him through a trade. A buyout would also be complicated, as James would need to wait until after the season starts to become eligible to sign with another team.
Despite the rumors, LeBron seems content with his summer, having spent time rehabbing his injured knee and enjoying family activities in Puerto Rico and Akron, Ohio. He’s also been spotted watching a second game with his wife and daughter, and has expressed his gratitude for playing alongside his son Bronny James, who is under contract with the Lakers.
The Athletic’s Sam Amick contributed to this report.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6497098/2025/07/16/lebron-james-lakers-buyout-trade