Staff sources say LeBron James and the Lakers didn’t focus on offers that may have added years to his Lakers tenure that started in 2018, both by means of extension or with him opting out and signing a brand new deal. Conversely, James and his camp signaled months in the past that there could be no reductions provided this time round (the Lakers, crew sources say, didn’t suggest any form of discounted deal out of respect for James).
Supply: New York Instances
Supply: New York Instances
What’s the excitement on Twitter?

Sam Amick @sam_amick
On LeBron James’ contract resolution, what led to it and the way the Luka Doncic issue got here into play for the Lakers, at @TheAthletic
nytimes.com/athletic/64615… – 10:45 PM
On LeBron James’ contract resolution, what led to it and the way the Luka Doncic issue got here into play for the Lakers, at @TheAthletic
nytimes.com/athletic/64615… – 10:45 PM

Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
Yossi and are I gonna discuss LeBron trades.
We’ll discuss different stuff however… we’re speaking about LeBron trades.
x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 10:24 PM
Yossi and are I gonna discuss LeBron trades.
We’ll discuss different stuff however… we’re speaking about LeBron trades.
x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 10:24 PM

Sam Vecenie @Sam_Vecenie
Going stay right here in like 5 minutes with @Motorcityhoops to interrupt down the early offseason motion
-Rockets strikes
-Wolves retain Randle, Reid
– Harden deal
-LeBron opts in, however weirdly
-Weirdo Sexton/Nurkic deal
-Cavs offers
-Extra
youtube.com/stay/wSNfBZnlh… pic.x.com/dW6UuYJFIz – 9:53 PM
Going stay right here in like 5 minutes with @Motorcityhoops to interrupt down the early offseason motion
-Rockets strikes
-Wolves retain Randle, Reid
– Harden deal
-LeBron opts in, however weirdly
-Weirdo Sexton/Nurkic deal
-Cavs offers
-Extra
youtube.com/stay/wSNfBZnlh… pic.x.com/dW6UuYJFIz – 9:53 PM


Brad Townsend @townbrad
If LeBron James is courtside in Vegas on July 10 to look at Bronny-Cooper, which of the 2 groups is he extra more likely to play for this season, Los Angeles or Dallas?
I’m solely half-kidding. Arduous to see a state of affairs wherein the Mavericks can tackle his $52M wage, but when LeBron – 7:45 PM
If LeBron James is courtside in Vegas on July 10 to look at Bronny-Cooper, which of the 2 groups is he extra more likely to play for this season, Los Angeles or Dallas?
I’m solely half-kidding. Arduous to see a state of affairs wherein the Mavericks can tackle his $52M wage, but when LeBron – 7:45 PM


Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
Cue the Coming House montages as a result of LeBron James returning to Cleveland is sensible for everybody.
cbssports.com/nba/information/what-… – 7:08 PM
Cue the Coming House montages as a result of LeBron James returning to Cleveland is sensible for everybody.
cbssports.com/nba/information/what-… – 7:08 PM

Allen Sliwa @AllenSliwa
Enjoyable present this morning on KEY Laker Tales…
-Lebron Opts In | Is This Ultimate 12 months As A Laker?
-Market For Heart Costly, No Excuses
-DFS Turns into Free Agent
youtube.com/stay/_2aOqLOZP… – 4:14 PM
Enjoyable present this morning on KEY Laker Tales…
-Lebron Opts In | Is This Ultimate 12 months As A Laker?
-Market For Heart Costly, No Excuses
-DFS Turns into Free Agent
youtube.com/stay/_2aOqLOZP… – 4:14 PM

Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
LeBron James has issued a warning to the Lakers. Will they reply?
foxsports.com/tales/wnba/l… – 3:17 PM
LeBron James has issued a warning to the Lakers. Will they reply?
foxsports.com/tales/wnba/l… – 3:17 PM

Khobi Worth @khobi_price
The @ocregister story on LeBron James choosing up his 2025-26 participant possibility with Lakers for an unprecedented twenty third NBA season, Dorian Finney-Smith declining his possibility and the place LAL stands coming into free company: ocregister.com/2025/06/29/leb… – 2:26 PM
The @ocregister story on LeBron James choosing up his 2025-26 participant possibility with Lakers for an unprecedented twenty third NBA season, Dorian Finney-Smith declining his possibility and the place LAL stands coming into free company: ocregister.com/2025/06/29/leb… – 2:26 PM

Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
LeBron rumors have gotten severe sufficient that my Cleveland-born brother in regulation and I are brazenly discussing “LeBron” as a center identify for my new child niece—due in the course of July—if a commerce aligns with the date of her beginning. – 2:24 PM
LeBron rumors have gotten severe sufficient that my Cleveland-born brother in regulation and I are brazenly discussing “LeBron” as a center identify for my new child niece—due in the course of July—if a commerce aligns with the date of her beginning. – 2:24 PM

Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
Los Angles Lakers’ offseason plans after LeBron James OPTS IN
youtu.be/rDZtxFS7H6s?si…
by way of @YouTube – 2:20 PM
Los Angles Lakers’ offseason plans after LeBron James OPTS IN
youtu.be/rDZtxFS7H6s?si…
by way of @YouTube – 2:20 PM


Allen Sliwa @AllenSliwa
Lebron Opts IN | Lakers Have To Construct For Future | Finney-Smith Enters Free Company x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 1:35 PM
Lebron Opts IN | Lakers Have To Construct For Future | Finney-Smith Enters Free Company x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 1:35 PM

Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
What’s so attention-grabbing about this LeBron to Cleveland stuff is that it’s nearly a guilt-free means for the Cavs to save lots of a bunch of cash.
They’d HAVE to get beneath the second apron to legally purchase him, and he’s solely below contract for yet another tremendous costly season. – 1:20 PM
What’s so attention-grabbing about this LeBron to Cleveland stuff is that it’s nearly a guilt-free means for the Cavs to save lots of a bunch of cash.
They’d HAVE to get beneath the second apron to legally purchase him, and he’s solely below contract for yet another tremendous costly season. – 1:20 PM

Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
I’ve been tinkering with LeBron-to-Cleveland trades. It’s laborious given their monetary state of affairs. They’d should get beneath the second apron to combination. Proper now, they’re round $20 million above it. So, financially talking, it must be constructed round Garland, not Allen. pic.x.com/pH2w1qcYzV – 12:04 PM
I’ve been tinkering with LeBron-to-Cleveland trades. It’s laborious given their monetary state of affairs. They’d should get beneath the second apron to combination. Proper now, they’re round $20 million above it. So, financially talking, it must be constructed round Garland, not Allen. pic.x.com/pH2w1qcYzV – 12:04 PM


Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
LeBron on-court earnings, give or take …
With Lakers: $350 million
With Warmth and Cavs mixed: $230 million
I feel this can be a lesson in compounding curiosity, or one thing – 11:57 AM
LeBron on-court earnings, give or take …
With Lakers: $350 million
With Warmth and Cavs mixed: $230 million
I feel this can be a lesson in compounding curiosity, or one thing – 11:57 AM

Brad Turner @BA_Turner
Sources confined that LeBron James has exercised his $52.6 million participant choice to play for Lakers and play his twenty third NBA season – 11:55 AM
Sources confined that LeBron James has exercised his $52.6 million participant choice to play for Lakers and play his twenty third NBA season – 11:55 AM

Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
After LeBron James opted into his contract, Wealthy Paul has made it clear that the stress is on the Lakers to construct a profitable roster. There’s a lingering unwritten “or else” there… – 11:49 AM
After LeBron James opted into his contract, Wealthy Paul has made it clear that the stress is on the Lakers to construct a profitable roster. There’s a lingering unwritten “or else” there… – 11:49 AM


Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Reporting on @SportsCenter — LeBron James opts in on $52.6 million for the 2025-26 season however is evaluating his Lakers future: pic.x.com/ZQWEJLUNqo – 11:41 AM
Reporting on @SportsCenter — LeBron James opts in on $52.6 million for the 2025-26 season however is evaluating his Lakers future: pic.x.com/ZQWEJLUNqo – 11:41 AM

Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
LeBron James opts into $52.6M cope with Lakers for subsequent season #NBA
eurohoops.web/en/nba-news/18… – 11:34 AM
LeBron James opts into $52.6M cope with Lakers for subsequent season #NBA
eurohoops.web/en/nba-news/18… – 11:34 AM

Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
Lakers offseason with LeBron opting-in
* Lakers have the $5.7M tax ML if Dorian Finney-Smith opts-in.
* They may have the $14.1M non-tax ML if Smith opts-out and indicators with a brand new crew pic.x.com/sMOEZF0gGl – 11:33 AM
Lakers offseason with LeBron opting-in
* Lakers have the $5.7M tax ML if Dorian Finney-Smith opts-in.
* They may have the $14.1M non-tax ML if Smith opts-out and indicators with a brand new crew pic.x.com/sMOEZF0gGl – 11:33 AM


Regulation Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
8 straight seasons for LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers
Left Cleveland after 7, left Miami after 4, left Cleveland once more after 4 – 11:15 AM
8 straight seasons for LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers
Left Cleveland after 7, left Miami after 4, left Cleveland once more after 4 – 11:15 AM

Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Breaking: Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James is opting into his $52.6 million participant possibility for the 2025-26 season, Klutch Sports activities CEO Wealthy Paul advised ESPN.
Paul provides: LeBron “is aware of the Lakers are constructing for the longer term … however he values a sensible likelihood of profitable all of it.” pic.x.com/q5mT1O2R35 – 11:12 AM
Breaking: Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James is opting into his $52.6 million participant possibility for the 2025-26 season, Klutch Sports activities CEO Wealthy Paul advised ESPN.
Paul provides: LeBron “is aware of the Lakers are constructing for the longer term … however he values a sensible likelihood of profitable all of it.” pic.x.com/q5mT1O2R35 – 11:12 AM

Extra on this storyline
If the Lakers have any hope of staying nimble within the essential years to return, and probably including the subsequent co-star to place alongside Luka Dončić after James is gone, then it behooves them to take care of as a lot flexibility as doable. The second-apron realities of right this moment’s NBA imply that elite skills may shake free at any time, with house owners who pushed for this digital laborious cap now dealing with its grave penalties. -via New York Instances / June 29, 2025
Yossi Gozlan: Lakers doubtless a primary apron crew with LeBron James opting in and if Dorian Finney-Smith returns. They’d be restricted to one hundred pc wage matches in trades and the $5.7 million tax MLE. They might open up extra commerce choices and the $14.1 million non-tax MLE by lowering payroll. -via Twitter @YossiGozlan / June 29, 2025
Shams Charania: The Lakers perspective is that they’re doing every thing they’ll to construct the crew the proper means, to attempt to compete for a championship. We all know they’re within the middle market proper now. So that you take a look at facilities like Brook Lopez, Clint Capela, Al Horford, all out there available in the market. They’re even have Dorian Finney-Smith, he’s obtained a participant possibility resolution, $15.4 million participant possibility. He additionally faces a deadline later right this moment, in order that they’re doing what they’ll, however LeBron James clearly is of the mindset that he needs to compete for a championship, and he’s going to be monitoring very carefully. Are the Lakers going to make the transfer that places them in place to noticeably compete in that vaulted Western Convention? After which, if not, the place do these conversations go that turns into a subplot of this offseason. -via Twitter @ShamsCharania / June 29, 2025