Report: Lakers strongly prefer LeBron James retires with franchise

The week leading up to Thursday's NBA trade deadline, and much of the time before it this season, has been a whirlwind for the Los Angeles Lakers. 

The team 27-25, but it has spent much of the year flirting with the .500 mark. And just to add to the current drama surrounding the franchise, LeBron James' cryptic hourglass emoji created widespread speculation on his future with the franchise.

According to The Athletic's Sam Amick, regardless of the tweet and current feelings, the franchise wants James to retire in a Lakers uniform, while acknowledging that due to the current state of his contract, the ball is entirely in his court.

LeBron James' statement to reporters in New York regarding his contract is the only part that truly matters when it comes to the power dynamics in play here. Team sources say the Lakers would strongly prefer that James retire in their jersey someday, meaning he holds all the cards until his contract situation gets figured out. The Lakers' top decision makers have no illusions about that much.

While James' agent, Rich Paul, told ESPN's Brian Windhorst that James "won't be traded" and isn't "asking to be [traded]," it hasn't stopped many from wondering what the future holds for the future Hall of Famer. His frustration with the current state of the Lakers is apparent, and considering he has a player option for 2024-25 and is set to become an unrestricted free agent after that, it's fair to flirt with the idea of James in a different uniform.

But all things considered, James opting to depart from the Lakers feels like a long shot — at least now. His son, Bronny, plays for the USC Trojans, and assuming he doesn't opt to enter the NBA draft, it'd be a surprise to see James leave town.

But on the other end of that, if Bronny did enter the draft, and LeBron was steadfast in wanting to team up with him at the NBA level, that's where things get a bit murky. Would James take a smaller deal with any other team just to play alongside Bronny? It can't be entirely ruled out. Much of James' future feels tied to what happens with Bronny, which could create an incredibly unique NBA draft experience in one of the next few offseasons.