LeBron James Refuses Interview Amid Lakers Trade Rumors
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has been involved in several trade rumors as of late, thanks to Rich Paul's comments about his current priorities.
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After James picked up the $52.6 million player option on his Lakers contract to return for a 23rd season in the NBA, he quickly made headlines after Paul said that the 40-year-old forward "wants to compete for a championship."
Paul also noted that while James understands that the "Lakers are building for the future," he still "values a realistic chance of winning it all." Many interpreted it as James' way of pressuring the franchise to make big moves — or else he would request a trade.
James has since been linked with a number of teams, including the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks. So far, however, he has yet to address the rumors.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the second half against the Boston Celtics at the Crypto.com Arena.Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
On Saturday, the four-time NBA MVP could have answered all the questions and concerns about his future when ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin gave him the opportunity to do so. However, he refused to talk about it.
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McMenamin made the revelation during the Lakers' Summer League game against the New Orleans Pelicans — a contest that James attended to support his son, Bronny James.
"Now I ask LeBron just before tip-off if he'd like to join the broadcast to discuss everything, and he told me: 'I ain't got nothing to talk about,'" McMenamin revealed.
For what it's worth, while LeBron James didn't join the ESPN broadcast, his agent Rich Paul apparently talked with Dave McMenamin and made it clear that the superstar hasn't requested a trade and that it hasn't been discussed at all.
Paul also rejected the idea that the cause of the trade rumors was the Lakers' decision not to offer James a contract beyond next season. According to Paul, per McMenamin's report, they "never asked for one."
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Related: Fans Still Believe in LeBron James, 40, After Seeing Latest Photo
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
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