It's one of the more intriguing stories of the 2025 NBA offseason: after LeBron James exercised his $52.6 million player option last month, a statement from agent Rich Paul about how James wanted to play for a contender ignited all kinds of trade rumors.

LeBron James opted to avoid adding any clarity to what has suddenly become a complicated Lakers outlook. The superstar had a chance to clear up the trade rumors and speculation that’ve made his Los Angeles future murky, but when asked by ESPN on Saturday if he wanted to join their NBA Summer League broadcast, James declined.

Rich Paul once again doubled down on the trade request speculation surrounding LeBron James and the Lakers.