LeBron James opting into his player contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, followed by a statement released by his agent, has fueled trade and buyout rumors for the last week. He wants the best possible chance to compete for a championship, and even though the Lakers now have Luka Doncic, the rest of the roster is discombobulated, at best.

It would be entirely illogical for the Lakers to buy out James. He was a second-team All-NBA choice in 2024-25. Why would they get rid of him for nothing in return? While trades don't appear to be forthcoming, LeBron's name value plus talent give him legitimate trade value if he ends up requesting a deal.

LeBron James Trade Saga Takes Another Twist for Lakers originally appeared on Athlon Sports. LeBron James put some pressure on Rob Pelinka and the Los Angeles Lakers. He didn't discuss a potential contract extension after opting in on the final year of his contract, and his agent talked about his desire to play on a championship-caliber roster.