Rich Paul: LeBron hasn't asked for trade, 4 teams showed interest

Four teams contacted LeBron James' agent, Rich Paul, with interest in trading for the Los Angeles Lakers superstar, Paul recently told ESPN's Dave McMenamin during Summer League in Las Vegas.

Despite the interest, Paul reiterated that James hasn't requested to be traded.

"Paul also made it clear to me that LeBron has not asked for a trade, and Paul hasn't even discussed the possibility of wanting a trade in the future with the Lakers," Paul told McMenamin.

James declined to address his future Saturday during the Lakers' game.

"I ain't got nothing to talk about," James said, according to McMenamin.

Paul's latest comments on James' future come after he said June 30 - the day James exercised his $52.6-million player option with L.A. - that the four-time MVP would evaluate the best scenario for him to compete for another championship while the Lakers also build a team for the future around Luka Doncic.

"For the Lakers, it's business as usual," McMenamin reported Saturday. "They have the motivation to compete at the highest level and optimize not just LeBron's timeline, but they want to compete now with Luka Doncic. Some are positive that the true cause of this situation was the Lakers not offering LeBron a contract beyond next season, but Rich Paul told me they never asked for one."

James, who's played 22 NBA seasons, is entering the last year of his contract with Los Angeles. The 40-year-old is coming off a strong campaign, posting 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game across 70 appearances.

The Lakers went 50-32 in 2024-25, good for third in the West, but their season ended with a first-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Los Angeles made a blockbuster in-season trade this past campaign to acquire Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks. Doncic turned 26 in February.

The Lakers' most notable roster addition so far this offseason was signing former No. 1 pick Deandre Ayton.