Why the LeBron James exit rumours won’t go away

We are hurtling towards September 2025, and it feels like a year since the LeBron James exit rumours began. The NBA legend’s future has been questioned pretty much since the arrival of Luka Doncic to the California side, with the Lakers now looking to make the former Mavs man the face of the franchise.

However, despite the constant stream of articles, videos, and social media posts about James and his departure, the 40-year-old remains part of the roster.

So what’s the story here? Is it true that there is no smoke without fire? Or have we just been staring at the same painting for so long that it now feels like the eyes are moving?

When LeBron opted to take up his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season, his agent, Rich Paul, sent the media and fans into a swirl when he reportedly told ESPN that LeBron “knows the Lakers are building for the future”, setting off speculation about his future. This seemed like the first acknowledgement from James’ camp that the player knew his days in California were numbered.

“League sources also indicated Doncic did not want James traded”

Rob Pelinka also made it clear that LeBron’s future at the Lakers wasn’t guaranteed, saying “if he had a chance to retire a Laker, that would be great.”

While it’s incredibly specific to break down his wording, LeBron is a Laker, and statements like this only keep the fires burning. Going even further, does this wording even hint that LeBron wouldn’t be keen on retiring as a Laker? You decide.

And now Clutch Points writer Anthony Irwin has revealed that sources say Luka Doncic would be happy for LeBron to stay. Again, while this is in no way confirming an exit, it proves that certain questions and themes have been spoken about: “Sources close to the team made it clear all summer no trade exists that would make them a better team, let alone one that James would waive his no-trade clause for,” he wrote, adding: “league sources also indicated Doncic did not want James traded, but also understood James needing to figure out what was best for him the last couple seasons of his career.

Andrew Hughes from Sporting News wrote: “James is dealing with being ‘the other guy’ for the first time, and it doesn’t seem to be going well." He was not invited to a Lakers’ postseason meeting with the top brass, a meeting that did include one Luka Doncic.

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