Shortly after picking up his player option for next season, James' agent, Rich Paul, not-so-subtly hinted his client would be monitoring what the Lakers to do while attempting to build a long-term contender. That could mean nothing more happens this summer ... or something else.

The second-year guard says he doesn't pay attention to the rumors about his superstar father possibly seeking a trade. "He just tells me not to worry about it."

The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off one of the most stunning trades in recent NBA history by acquiring Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks at the trade deadline this past season. In doing so, they began shifting away from LeBron James as their centerpiece star.