An unnamed NBA executive has raised eyebrows with comments about LeBron James and the Lakers, suggesting the situation behind the scenes is very interesting.
“Yeah, usually when a star player like LeBron opts into his contract, the team announces the move,” the executive told Hoops Wire’s Sam Amico. “I find this very strange. Something is definitely going on behind the scenes. I mean, the odds of LeBron getting traded are very, very low. His salary is just too high.”
James exercised his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season weeks ago, but the Lakers have yet to officially confirm the move.
That silence has led to speculation about possible tension between James and the front office.
“I think LeBron and the Lakers’ front office are butting heads. They haven’t had an impressive offseason at all and then there are rumors that Rob [Pelinka] is saving cap space for 2027. That’s just idiotic when you have LeBron and Luka [Doncic],” the executive added.
This sentiment echoes remarks from Lakers insider Jovan Buha, who recently said James’ relationship with the organization “is not in the best place right now.”
“I mean, I want to be careful with what I say about Bron’s relationship with the front office or the organization, but I don’t think it’s in the best place right now, to be completely honest.” Buha said. “As you know, there’s been no official statement about LeBron opting in. There typically is—especially for a player of that magnitude. And then he’s had his stuff on social media or whatever he’s posted, and there was obviously the statement when he opted in. So, I don’t think things are in the best place they’ve ever been. I’ll just say that. Make of that what you want.”
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