Overview

• LeBron James has exercised his one-year, $52.6 million player option for 2025-26, signaling his intention to remain in Los Angeles.
• His agent Rich Paul confirmed that James has not requested a trade, although four teams made inquiries without advancing substantive talks.
• After missing out on Brook Lopez and Clint Capela, the Lakers have emerged as frontrunners for buyout candidate Deandre Ayton.
• Milwaukee and Indiana have joined the Ayton sweepstakes, intensifying competition for his services in free agency.
• Los Angeles has also opened trade discussions for Nick Richards, Robert Williams III and Yves Missi as contingency plans for the center position.