The Los Angeles Lakers made one trade before Thursday's deadline by sending Gabe Vincent and a second-round pick to Atlanta for Luke Kennard. It didn't matter what LA did, as there isn't anything (besides a Giannis Antetokounmpo deal) that could've overshadowed LeBron James' future with the organization. What will happen with him this summer is still a hot topic of conversation.
For the first time in his career, he's on an expiring contract and will become an unrestricted free agent.
On a recent Bleacher Report livestream, Jake Fischer discussed the Lakers' trade deadline plans, saying they wanted to maintain cap space for the summer (which they did). That isn't the most interesting thing he said, though, as Fischer added that the Lakers are "ready to move on" from LeBron, and he thinks LeBron feels the same.
It felt like over the summer, when LeBron's agent, Rich Paul, released a statement about his client's decision to pick up his player option, that the two sides were gearing up for a breakup. One didn't happen before the season, or before the deadline, as his $52.6 million salary and looming free agency complicate things. That will change when he has control over his future during the offseason.
The next couple of months could be LeBron's last with the Lakers
Everything changed for LeBron and Los Angeles when Luka Dončić arrived in town, thanks to Nico Harrison's mismanagement. The Lakers were gifted an answer to their post-LeBron era, shifting focus from the aging superstar to Dončić, who was 25 at the time of the trade.
While there was still a chance that LeBron could've ended his career elsewhere, Luka's arrival increased the odds of that happening. Los Angeles extended its new star over the summer, opting not to do the same for LeBron.
The chatter has only increased throughout the season. Dave McMenamin of ESPN reported at the end of January that the Cavaliers would "welcome" LeBron back to the team for a third time this summer if he's open to it. Cleveland's decision to trade for James Harden before the deadline only added more fuel to the fire.
The speculation isn't going anywhere. It's LeBron, after all. You should be used to his future dominating headlines, from 'The Decision' in 2008 to joining the Lakers in 2018. We're in the midst of another chapter now, one that may not end in the way fans hoped.
This summer will be all about Giannis, but LeBron will get his fair share of attention, too.