Lakers Rumors: NBA Insider Reveals Concern Level on LeBron James' Unknown Future

Rumors have been swirling around James' future in Los Angeles all summer long.

December 9, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the fourth quarter of the in-season tournament championship against the Indiana Pacers at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images | Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers have already started building the team around Luka Doncic. Now that Doncic has signed an extension with the franchise, there is no doubt that this is his team.

LeBron James is nearing the end of his career, but he has been the center of every team he has ever played on. He is used to being the guy that teams are built around.

After Rich Paul sent a strange statement to the rest of the league, rumors have been swirling around that James might want out of Los Angeles.

More news: Lakers Criticized for Passive Approach to Trade Market by Anonymous NBA Executive

Lakers insider doesn't believe there is too much concern around LeBron James

Zach Harper of The Athletic doesn't believe that there is too much concern that James will want to leave Los Angeles, at least this season.

"This current situation got a wrench thrown into it back in February with the Luka trade, but from LeBron’s standpoint, I’m not concerned about much of it because he always seems to have a good plan."

Harper also talks about the fact that James will likely opt out and become a free agent next season.

"James will most likely be a free agent next summer. He’ll have a lot of places that will want to employ what is presumed to be the final chapter of his historic NBA career. The question is whether those pursuers will want to pay him max money."

James wants to win one last championship before he retires, so he might take one year of less money in order to go to a team that has a great chance to win it all.

More news: Lakers Hiring Former Mavericks Award-Winning Coach

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James will likely stay with the Lakers this season

This season, the Lakers are likely going to keep James for the entire year. He has never asked for a trade from any team he's ever been on, opting to move elsewhere in free agency instead.

That seems to be the likely course of action for the Lakers. If James decides he wants to ring chase elsewhere, that won't happen until next season, when he can opt out of his deal.

This past season, James averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game.

For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.