"Those same sources said the Lakers have received no indication from James or his representatives that he would request a trade or ask to be bought out of the final year of his contract, which will be his eighth season with the Lakers, the longest consecutive stretch spent with one organization in his career."

Trade speculation has been running rampant since right before the start of NBA free agency, when James exercised the $52.6 million option on his contract.

James picked up his US$52.6 million (S$67.5 million) option in June to return for an eighth season with the Lakers. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.