"The team has been resistant to taking on longer-term contracts in an effort to maintain flexibility," The Athletic wrote. "... if the Lakers were to, hypothetically, trade James to the Golden State Warriors for Jimmy Butler, who is nearly 36, they would have Butler under contract for the 2026-27 season at nearly $57 million."

Despite the growing noise surrounding LeBron James at the NBA summer league, the Los Angeles Lakers never entertained trade or buyout talks with the four-time NBA champion. The report sheds light on weeks of speculation that intensified after James picked up his $52.