The Los Angeles Lakers' long-term future with 21-time All-NBA forward LeBron James remains weirdly tenuous, even after he picked up his $52.6 million player option with the team for 2025-26. Although James is no longer the two-way wrecking ball he was during his MVP prime,

W hen the Los Angeles Lakers secured veteran guard Marcus Smart in free agency, it was widely seen as another intentional step toward contending for a championship next season. Kn

In fact, "there were whispers in league circles about LeBron James having eyes for Dallas," Hollinger reports. But the four-time NBA MVP was not willing to pass on $52.6 million with the Lakers for a non-taxpayer mid-level exception to sign.