"The team has been resistant to taking on longer-term contracts in an effort to maintain flexibility," The Athletic wrote. "... if the Lakers were to, hypothetically, trade James to the Golden State Warriors for Jimmy Butler, who is nearly 36, they would have Butler under contract for the 2026-27 season at nearly $57 million."

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves just a couple of months ago. Despite that early exit, he remains the talk of the town this offseason. Much of it centers around his future in the NBA.

James exercised his $52.6 million player option for next season, meaning he'll be on the Lakers' roster unless he's traded elsewhere or the two sides agree to buyout that would make him a free agent and free to sign with another team of his choosing.