LeBron James is widely expected to return to the Los Angeles Lakers next season though he has decisions to make on how much longer he wants to continue playing and whether he prefers to finish his career with the franchise.

James has a $51 million player option for 24-25 with the Lakers. James is expected to become a free agent and re-sign some type of multi-year deal and possibly seek a no-trade clause. James can only get a no-trade clause by becoming a free agent and can't do so as part of an extension.

"I think the expectation is that in one shape or another, LeBron James will be back with this Lakers' team," said Adrian Wojnarowski. "It probably includes declining that player option and doing a new deal. Whether that's a one-year deal or a two-year deal, however they want to structure it. I think there's a working expectation that he's back, but things can change. He can make a different decision later."

Both the Golden State Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers had interest in LeBron James ahead of this year's trade deadline. 

The Philadelphia 76ers have long been connected to a pursuit of Paul George this offseason.

"The player at the top of theeir list is Paul George," said Brian Windhorst on Get Up on Friday morning. "His contract extension discussions with the Clippers have not led to an agreement. The Clippers are fighting for their playoff lives tonight in Dallas. They have not wanted to offer the max contract. They got Kawhi to accept an extension at less than a max, that has been the standard.

"I think Philly is going to come out with a max offer to Paul George. The Clippers are going to have to decide max or not. Paul George is going to have to decide 'Do I want to stay here or not?'

"But you don't just to have use cap space on free agents. You can use it in trade. This is where I think Daryl Morey is going to go to work. There's going to be a number of names who are going to come up, but I'm going to give you two off the bat here. Both involve who can get extensions with their teams, but for various reasons will not.

"The first name to watch is Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat. He has two years left on his contract. There is interest in him extending... If Jimmy Butler wants to extend and the Heat are not willing to do it facing heavy luxury tax penalties, is there a way to revisit that?

"Also, another player to watch is Brandon Ingram. He had a very poor playoff session for the Pelicans. He is due a contact extension. The Pelicans have never paid the tax in the history of their franchise. They are set to sign Trey Murphy as a big dollar player alongside Zion Williamson. This is a player who might be on the market and again, I don't think even their No. 1 choice behind Paul George, but this type of player is who Philly can potentially look at to add firepower and offense to this team.

Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans enter the 2024 offseason in a much better place compared to where they were last year. While sources tell The Athletic that Williamson was never included in any official trade offers, the Pelicans didn't express any urgency in denying rumors about his availability. The Pelicans were strongly linked with Scoot Henderson leading to the draft.

Sources also tell The Athletic that the Pelicans were "impressed by the progress Williamson made with his mental and physical state" before he suffered a hamstring injury in the fourth quarter of their play-in game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Williamson remained engaged with teammates following the injury and was in the best shape of his NBA career.

During the previous offseason, the Pelicans hired Amy Atmore as director of rehabilitation. She worked with Williamson and other players on a more day-to-day basis, which contributed to him playing in a career-high 70 games. Williamson's relationship with Aaron Nelson, who was previously the head of the training staff, had "grown frigid over time."

Brandon Ingram is entering the final season of his contract with the Pelicans and his future with the franchise is believed to be far less certain than Williamson.

The San Antonio Spurs do not see Trae Young as a fit next to Victor Wembanyama, sources told Kurt Helin of NBC Sports.

Helin adds that the Spurs could be interested in Dejounte Murray instead.

The Hawks are likely to trade one of either Young or Murray this summer, according to reports. 

The Spurs could also pursue Chris Paul in free agency.

The Miami Heat are believed to be in a position to use their asset pool and how appealing they are to All-Stars across the league to acquire one in the near future.

"Miami is always in great position because, especially if it's players with not a lot left on their contract," said Adrian Wojnarowski before Miami's loss to the Boston Celtics in Game 1. "One year or two years. And they tell their team, 'I want a trade to the Heat, and if you don't send me to the Heat, I'm going to become a free agent and go somewhere else. Don't trade me to that team or that team.'

"Teams can still decide to send you where they want to send you, but it's always an advantage for Miami. Players want to be part of that organization. So I think Miami will be in a position again to use the assets they have to get another All-Star level player that maybe connects more on the timeline of Bam Adebayo and his age."

While Wojnarowski didn't specifically mention any names, one player who appears to fit the description is Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell can become a free agent in 2025 and there has been speculation he could seek a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers this offseason given his potential reluctance to sign long-term. Mitchell has also been linked with the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets.

Last offseason, the Heat had interest in acquiring Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers, but no deal ever materialized before he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Atlanta Hawks are widely expected to trade either Trae Young or Dejounte Murray this offseason after a two-season sample size showing that they are a bad on-court fit. The Hawks attempted to trade Murray this season, but didn't find a trade to their liking. Atlanta could receive a bigger trade package in return for Young, who is also on a more expensive contract.

According to Marc Stein, "there is a growing belief in many corners of the league that Atlanta's preference would actually be shopping Young."

Young is coming off Year 2 of a five-year, $215 million contract. 

Young and Murray are both represented by Klutch Sports.

Second round picks have become such a frequently traded commodity that only four teams own their own selection in this year's draft.

The Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs are the four teams who currently retain their second round pick.

While there are various pick protections in place that could come into play, there are currently only seven teams who still control their second round pick for 2025.

For the first time in league history, the second round will be broadcast on its own day separate from the first round.

The Los Angeles Lakers would have "serious interest" in trading for Trae Young should the Atlanta Hawks decide to make a move, sources told Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report.

Sources around the league believe that the Hawks will deal Young this summer, according to Pincus.

The Lakers would have to wait until July to make a deal due to a hard cap at the first apron that expires at the end of June. 

With the Spurs also registering interest, the Pistons are seen as a "wild card" to trade for Young.

The Atlanta Hawks are likely to trade one of Trae Young or Dejounte Murray, sources told Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Young was recently cleared to return to practice following finger surgery.

The Hawks will play the Bulls in the play-in game next week.

LeBron James is widely expected to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers for the 24-25 season, but 

"I think LeBron is going to opt out no matter what and the reason I think he's going to opt out no matter is because even if he just signs back for one year, the only functional way for LeBron to get a no-trade clause is to sign a new contract," said Brian Windhorst. "If he extends the contract he is in, or picks up that option and extends onto it, he cannot get a no-trade clause. I think for a number of different reasons, LeBron would like, ask for, and probably be granted a no-trade clause.

"There may be some debate with him and the Lakers about whether he should get three years, or whether a third year would be a team option, or a player option, or not guaranteed or whatever. I think there could be some interesting negotations back and forth on that."

James has a player with the Lakers for 24-25 worth $51.4 million.