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LeBron James is in Los Angeles Lakers (Image via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers have chosen to stand pat this offseason, at least when it comes to trade activity. While minor moves were made—like signing Jake LaRavia and Deandre Ayton, re-signing Jaxson Hayes, and trading up in the second round to draft Adou Thiero—the front office has remained largely quiet.This silence recently gave rise to speculation about a possible trade involving ex-Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins. However, those rumors were short-lived. According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, speaking on The Lowe Post with Zach Lowe, there’s no truth to the Lakers’ pursuit of Wiggins: “They’re not interested in Andrew Wiggins. I think I can put that to bed.”Andrew Wiggins, who was recently acquired by Miami, was linked in trade rumors with L.A.,
sparking buzz among fans and insiders. Swapping Wiggins with Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura was the most-discussed scenario. While Andrew Wiggins offers stronger perimeter defense, he’s several years older than Hachimura and brings questions about shooting consistency.
What the Rumors Meant for Rui Hachimura
The rumors—though now debunked—had potential implications for Rui Hachimura’s role with the Los Angeles Lakers. Being at the center of trade talk can often disrupt a player’s performance or team chemistry.
With the speculation cleared, Hachimura appears safe heading into the 2025–26 season.This clarification might also signal that the Lakers’ offseason stillness is just that—no secret blockbuster deal brewing behind closed doors.
LeBron James Rumors: Four Teams Show Interest
Andrew Wiggins (Image via Getty)
While the Andrew Wiggins story quieted quickly, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James remained at the center of offseason drama. Though LeBron never requested a trade, he made it clear he was keeping an eye on the team’s moves.That subtle pressure opened the door to widespread speculation, linking James to a variety of teams, from a nostalgic return to the Cleveland Cavaliers to potential moves to the Knicks or Mavericks. Yet throughout it all, both LeBron and his agent Rich Paul have held a consistent public stance—LeBron isn’t asking to be traded.Still, behind the scenes, interest was real. During NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, reports confirmed that four teams reached out to Rich Paul to explore trade possibilities for the 40-year-old superstar.
Teams Reportedly Interested in LeBron James
While no official list was revealed, the following franchises were popularly tied to potential moves:- Cleveland Cavaliers- New York Knicks- Dallas Mavericks- [Unnamed fourth team]
Offseason Moves So Far: Los Angeles Lakers’ Activity Recap
Despite not making a major trade splash, the Los Angeles Lakers have made a few calculated moves to reshape their roster:
Move | Details |
Signed | Deandre Ayton (Center) |
Signed | Jake LaRavia (Wing) |
Re-signed | Jaxson Hayes (Big man depth) |
Drafted | Adou Thiero (Second-round pick) |
Departed | Dorian Finney-Smith (Free Agency) |
With trade talks for Andrew Wiggins dismissed and LeBron’s future looking stable—for now—the Lakers appear set on entering the season with their current core. Whether this is due to strategic patience or limited viable trade options remains to be seen.Also read: NBA Trade Rumors: Zion Williamson’s $39.4M Guarantee Raises Bigger Questions in New Orleans - What it means for the Pelicans?The Lakers are betting on internal growth and cohesion rather than immediate overhaul.