Rich Paul: LeBron not asking Lakers to trade him

Rich Paul, the agent for Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, is rebuffing the notion that his biggest client wants out of Hollywood.

"LeBron won't be traded, and we aren't asking to be," Paul told ESPN's Brian Windhorst Friday.

James generated widespread intrigue about his future with a cryptic post on X early Wednesday morning. At 2:26 a.m. ET, following a loss to the Hawks in Atlanta, the 39-year-old tweeted a single hourglass emoji, prompting speculation about its meaning. Though James has yet to offer an explanation, he has not deleted the post.

The Lakers are 25-25 and ninth in the Western Conference, on pace for a second consecutive appearance in the play-in tournament. However, they're just 1.5 games clear of the 11th-place Houston Rockets and two games above the Golden State Warriors in 12th.

While the team has given no indication it's exploring trading the four-time Finals MVP, there are some debatable reasons for the franchise to consider it. Now in his 21st NBA season, James' average of 24.9 points through 44 games is his lowest scoring output since his rookie year with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Although his contract contains a $51.4-million player option for his age-40 season next year, James can instead decide to become a free agent in order to sign with the team that selects his son Bronny in this year's draft - assuming the USC freshman declares after the season.

The Lakers could also use a LeBron trade to replenish depleted future assets, as Los Angeles owes several first- and second-round picks to multiple teams through 2029. And due to the Stepien Rule, which prevents teams from dealing away their own future first-round selections in consecutive years, the earliest of the Lakers' own first-rounders they can trade away is their 2029 pick.