The Los Angeles Lakers have done one really weird thing since the public began speculating about a possible LeBron James trade. L.A. has yet to acknowledge publicly that James opted-in to his player option for 2025-26 to play the upcoming season for $52.6 million.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James responds to trade rumors after a viral picture of him working out at the Cleveland Cavaliers practice facility surfaced.

NBA free agency officially began Monday, and the first stunner came the following morning when Myles Turner, the top free agent on the board, agreed to join the Bucks on a four-year deal. That's a surprise on its own.