The NBA free agency period has officially begun, though deals can only be negotiated through agents, with nothing becoming official until July 6. This means players and teams can agree to terms, but no paperwork is processed until that date. It’s a pivotal time not only for free agents but also for players on the trading block.
On Sunday, LeBron James opted into the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst found the situation a bit unusual.
“They haven't put out a statement. It's not a rule that you put out a statement when a player picks up an option but it is customary, and the Lakers did not do that," Windhorst said on Monday's Get Up. "I had to actually check with the team and the league. I said, 'Did LeBron actually opt in?' And they said, 'Yes, the paper work went through. He opted into his contract. Last year when LeBron signed a contract extension, Rob Pelinka had about a 115-word quote talking about how wonderful LeBron James is and what he means to the Lakers and what he means to their franchise. Yesterday there was no statement."
Shams Charania was the first to report the news on Sunday. According to James’ agent Rich Paul, there is confidence in the Lakers’ ability to contend for a championship. However, the quiet nature of the opt-in has sparked trade speculation around LeBron. Whether that materializes remains to be seen—but his subtle move has certainly raised eyebrows.
In Bleacher Report’s list of potential landing spots for James, one scenario has him heading to Dallas to form a super team. The proposed trade would send LeBron to the Mavericks in exchange for PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford, Naji Marshall, Caleb Martin, and an unprotected 2029 first-round pick.
This blockbuster deal would unite Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, Cooper Flagg, and LeBron James on the same team—creating what could arguably be the greatest lineup of all time. And don’t put it past Mavericks GM Nico Harrison to pull the trigger.
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