Luke Walton said that the Los Angeles Lakers convinced LeBron James to shut the rest of his season down due to injury concerns.

"He wants to play. My understanding from the medical staff, they finally said, 'Look, it's just not worth it anymore. Let's make sure you have a healthy summer.' So that's the decision that was made, and we'll move forward without him on the floor for the final six," said Walton.

Walton added that James was too competitive to shut down his season after the Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs.

"Well, I think that goes back to him wanting to compete. Even though it's over, he wants to be out there playing with his guys. Eventually, as that time goes on and on, it's easier to tell someone like that, 'Let's take care of your health right now.' So that's kind of how the decision came," said Walton.

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed forward Jemerrio Jones.

Jones appeared in 47 games (six starts) for the South Bay Lakers this season, averaging 9.4 points, a team-leading 9.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocks in 24.7 minutes. Jones tallied double-digit rebounds in 21 games and finished the season with 15 double-doubles. The former WAC Player of the Year grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds twice on the season and scored a career-high 21 points on March 21 vs. Stockton.

The Los Angeles Lakers are shutting down LeBron James for the remainder of the 18-19 season.

James injured his groin on Dec. 25 and didn't return until Jan. 31.

James finishes his first season with the Lakers averaging 27.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 8.3 assists in 35.2 minutes per game while missing the playoffs.

The Lakers released the following statement:

"After consulting with our team doctors and medical staff, we have decided to hold LeBron out of games for the remainder of the season. This decision will allow his groin to fully heal, and is best for the future success of both LeBron and the Lakers.”

Rajon Rondo stated that he wanted to re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason.

"Absolutely. I mean, the only way we can go from here is up. So, I don't know what the future holds as far as the summer -- if I come back, or who else comes back or if I don't come back. Those things are out of my control. But at the same time, it's a great organization. I can't say enough about the staff and the people who work here. They're really kind and helpful, so I want to continue, if I can, help this organization grow," said Rondo.

Rondo added that he was looking for something more long-term than the 1-year deal he signed with the Lakers last offseason. 

"As far as long term, maybe not like a six-year deal, but you know, I'm only 33."

Rajon Rondo held a players-only meeting in Memphis in late February with the goal of finding "a better understanding of one another."

The meeting followed LeBron James' comments from the previous night after a loss against the Pelicans, when he asked "How many know what's at stake if you've never been there?" in the post-game interview.

Several of his teammates criticized James' body language, including slumped shoulders and sideways glances.

James admitted that he was working on improving his body language. 

The Lakers went 2-10 over their next 12 games following the meeting. 

The Los Angeles Lakers offered Ivica Zubac to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Mike Muscala. 

In recounting the trade details to close associates, Jerry West said he never offered any deals for the center and "couldn't believe" that the Lakers wanted to trade Zubac.

West and his friends laughed at he recounted the deal, according to sources. 

The Los Angeles Lakers never made an offer to Julius Randle in restricted free agency.

Luke Walton and his coaching staff preferred the Lakers re-sign Randle.

Randle signed a two-year, $18 million contract with the New Orleans Pelicans. Randle was won over by how the Pelicans appeared to really want him on their team, which wasn't a feeling he received from the Lakers.

Paul George re-signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder quickly during the 2018 offseason and never gave the Los Angeles Lakers the opportunity of a meeting.

Sources say it was always more about what the Thunder did right than what the Lakers did wrong. The Thunder traded for him without promises of a long-term commitment.

George played with Corey Brewer during the second half of the 17-18 season after Brewer was waived by the Lakers in February. Brewer divulged his experience with the Lakers to George.

George's agent, Aaron Mintz, also represented a number of players with ties to the Lakers including D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle.

Josh Hart underwent a successful ultrasonic debridement procedure on his right knee patellar tendon.

Hart is expected to make a full recovery and return to basketball activities in approximately 12 weeks.

Luke Walton said that he's ignoring rumors that the Los Angeles Lakers have already began searching for candidates to replace him as head coach for next season.

“I fully expect to be coaching this team again next year...I just view it as outside noise unless someone from within tells me that that happened. Unless someone from within our group is telling me that, I just view it like all the other things we’ve gone through as a team this year," said Walton.

Walton has 1 guaranteed year remaining on his contract.

Tyronn Lue told Walton that he has yet to be contacted by any member from the Lakers' organization, and will tell Walton should he be contacted out of respect for his friend.