"I don't think it's probable" - Byron Scott explains why LeBron James will stay with the Lakers

Описание: As speculation intensifies around LeBron James' future with the Los Angeles Lakers, one prominent voice from the franchise’s past has weighed in with confidence: Byron Scott, former Lakers guard and head coach, believes LeBron will remain in Los Angeles until the end of his playing career—and perhaps even beyond.

Speaking on his Fastbreak with Byron Scott podcast, the three-time NBA champion dismissed rumors of a potential departure, suggesting that James has too strong a connection with the Lakers to leave at this stage of his career.

“I don’t think it’s probable. I don’t see him leaving L.A. I don’t see the Lakers trading him. I think he’s going to end [his career] here in two years… two years max in my mind,” said Scott.

His remarks come amid a wave of reports that tensions may be quietly brewing between LeBron and the Lakers’ front office over the team's evolving direction.

Growing Frustration Over Lakers’ New Focus on the Future

While LeBron James has not publicly expressed dissatisfaction, multiple sources—including NBA insider Shams Charania—report that the four-time NBA champion is growing uneasy with the Lakers’ latest strategic pivot. Instead of aggressively building a win-now roster around LeBron, the team appears to be shifting focus toward the long-term, particularly centering its rebuild around Luka Dončić, who joined the Lakers in a blockbuster trade earlier this summer.

“His agent, Rich Paul, told me very directly that LeBron wants a realistic chance to compete for a championship,” Charania said during a recent segment on SiriusXM NBA Radio. “Whether it’s one year, two, or three left in his career, he wants to win now. He feels that the Lakers are leaning toward a futuristic mindset instead.”

This philosophical mismatch has sparked concern among fans and insiders alike. While the team may be planning for a future without LeBron, the 40-year-old superstar is still chasing championships and wants to maximize what’s left of his storied career.

Rich Paul Confirms Trade Interest — But LeBron Staying Quiet

Charania also revealed that LeBron’s agent, Rich Paul, acknowledged that several teams have reached out to express interest in potentially trading for James. But there’s a key caveat: LeBron has not requested a trade.

Veteran NBA reporter Dave McMenamin of ESPN caught up with James during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas and asked whether he wanted to clarify his intentions. James, ever the media-savvy veteran, offered only a brief and cryptic response:

“I ain’t got nothing to talk about,” LeBron said, effectively sidestepping the swirling rumors.

On a One-Year Deal, LeBron’s Future Looms Large

LeBron is currently playing under a one-year contract with the Lakers, making the 2025-26 offseason potentially decisive. Byron Scott believes the Lakers are likely to hold off on re-signing him right away in order to retain salary cap flexibility—particularly if they want to build a championship-caliber team around him one final time.

“They’ll go ahead and sign the free agents they want to sign first,” Scott explained. “Then they’ll bring him back. You don’t sign him right away because it’s going to eat up the salary cap. But of course, you keep LeBron in the loop on everything.”

This approach suggests the Lakers may still value James highly, even if they’re planning for life after him.

Post-Retirement Role? LeBron’s Potential Future in the Lakers’ Front Office

Looking beyond LeBron’s playing career, Scott floated an intriguing possibility: LeBron transitioning into a front office role with the Lakers. Such a move would align with James’ legacy, basketball IQ, and long-standing ambition to influence the game beyond the court.

With the Lakers now under new ownership—led by billionaire investor Mark Walter—Scott believes Earvin “Magic” Johnson could be brought back to oversee basketball operations, given his strong business relationship with Walter through their shared ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“If Magic runs the team, he might want to groom LeBron for an executive role,” Scott said. “There’s already a strong connection between Walter and Magic, and that could open the door for LeBron to stay with the Lakers in a different capacity.”