While speculation connecting LeBron James to the Los Angeles Lakers has been rampant, sources describe it as a long shot as of now.

The Lakers are widely expected to have enough cap space to sign two players to max contract deals provided they unload Luol Deng's contract.

James has been a free agent four times in his career and has changed teams in 2010 and 2014.

Before the season James said he "won't ever cheat my teammates or cheat the franchise ... by talking about free agency all year long, because I'm not gonna give energy to something I can handle in the summertime."

"LeBron is focused on this season and winning a championship," agent Rich Paul said. "At the appropriate time, we will explore all the options. Now is not the time."

After taking a discount with the Heat, James has sought max money since 2014.

The middle of the regular season is not the time for final decisions, but James' position on maximum contracts hasn't changed, sources said.