US reporter: James never asked for a trade, teams hoping to get him deliberately spread rumors

6686 Sports November 7 News Ashish Mathur, a reporter from the US media Lakers Daily, published an article today, talking about the current relationship between James and the Lakers.

Ashish Mathur said: After James exercised his player option for the 2025-26 season, his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, issued a rather cryptic statement to Shams. The statement was so vaguely worded that many around the league believed James was unhappy with the Lakers and might request a trade.

However, a source revealed that James has never considered asking to be traded. Rumors about the NBA's historical scoring leader being dissatisfied with the Lakers were actually deliberately spread by some teams hoping to get James. Sources said that these teams spread false news to reporters that James was unhappy to create public pressure, but this was completely untrue.

We reported as early as September that James did not seek a contract extension from the Lakers this offseason because he has not yet decided whether to continue playing next season. The 40-year-old James will celebrate his 41st birthday in December. He is currently the oldest active player in the league and has played 22 seasons since entering the NBA in 2003. Sources said that James expected to end his career with his son Bronny, which is why he never considered a trade.

The Lakers have 7 wins and 2 losses so far this season. Doncic averages 40 points per game, showing that he is the best player in the league; Reeves' performance is also called an All-Star level, averaging a career-high 31.1 points per game. Sources pointed out that James has a very close relationship with Doncic and Reaves, and all three of them believe that the Lakers have the ability to win the championship this season. This summer, team general manager Pelinka signed Ayton, Smart and Laravia to strengthen the lineup.

James is expected to make his season debut in mid-November, and after he returns to the game, coach Redick's starting lineup will be Doncic, Reeves, Hachimura, James and Ayton.