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Very rarely is there ever a dull moment when it comes to the Los Angeles Lakers, even during the offseason. Even as things have mellowed a bit since the team’s Summer League championship victory, a never-ending saga surrounds a player that the Lakers will undoubtedly pursue in the summer of 2018 if he becomes available.
Just over a year removed from their first NBA title in franchise history, the Cleveland Cavaliers have more and more drama building by the day and it all seems to revolve around LeBron James in some capacity. The three-time NBA champion can opt out of his contract next summer to become an unrestricted free agent and potentially leave Cleveland for a second time.
Although he has given no indication of his plans beyond next season, ESPN’s Chris Haynes reports that no matter the circumstances, James will not waive his no-trade clause in the 2017-18 season, citing the 32-year-old’s sole focus of competing for another championship with the Cavaliers next season.
This is the first shred of somewhat assuring news the Cavs have received all offseason. With the turmoil surrounding their front office after the departure of now former general manager David Griffin, Kyrie Irving requesting to be traded and James’ potential impending free agency, Cleveland at least knows that their superstar leader is committed and focus on the upcoming season.
James has been linked pretty heavily to the Lakers over the past few years, starting back in 2014 when he left the Miami Heat to return to the Cavaliers. Los Angeles has already started clearing salary cap space to try and sign him and another star player next summer, assuming James does opt out.
This may or may not change anything long term for James, the Cavaliers or even the Lakers, but it all but ensures the fact that LeBron will not be traded, although the odds of that were almost nonexistent anyways. Whatever happens, the next year on the NBA calendar will be an eventful one as everyone awaits to see what happens with LeBron James next summer.