NBA free agency isn't the frenzied bonanza it once was, as max- and supermax-level players tend to take care of their business through extensions, and then force a trade if and when they desire a change of scenery.

It's a massive loss for the Lakers who are in desperate need of a capable big man to play defense and rebound. Jaxson Hayes was not up to the task and the Lakers were often forced to play small with LeBron as the quasi-center.

Shams Charania of ESPN recently reported that James is expected to simply play out that final year of his current deal, which would pay him $52.6 million next season. However, nothing is a foregone conclusion with him until it is official.

NBA free agency is very different from what it was a decade ago, as most star movement now happens by way of trade. Players are able to steer their way to a preferred destination

The Lakers might land an All-Star center who has helped the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets franchises win a lot of games in his career.

The Lakers could have a real shot at signing one soon-to-be free agent center whom they're reportedly interested in.

LeBron James didn't sign a max contract when he joined the Miami Heat in 2010. Instead, he took slightly less as a way to help Miami put the best possible roster around him. They won two championships in the years that followed,

The Lakers’ taxpayer mid-level exception (projected at $5.2 million) might not be enough to lure him from Boston, where he’s a beloved figure and 2024 champion. The Lakers’ pursuit of Horford hinges on their ability to sell him on a final championship run while Boston goes through a gap year.