LeBron James opting into his player contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, followed by a statement released by his agent, has fueled trade and buyout rumors for the last week. He wants the best possible chance to compete for a championship, and even though the Lakers now have Luka Doncic, the rest of the roster is discombobulated, at best.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James was recently overheard saying how his wife wants him to retire from the NBA in "the next year or so."

For the past seven years, the interests of LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers broadly aligned. James rescued the Lakers from their post-Kobe Bryant odyssey. Even as he aged, James remained one of the best players in the NBA.