With him getting ready to play in his 23rd NBA season, one of LeBron James’ biggest focuses heading into training camp is getting his knee fully healthy.

LeBron has been recovering from a ligament sprain in his left knee since Game 5 of the first round against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 40-year-old says his knee feels “good,” but he wants to get it to a point where it’s fully healthy.

“I have a lot of time to take care of my injury, my knee, the rest of my body and make sure I’m as close to 100 percent as possible when training camp begins in late September,” James told the AP.

He has publicly stressed the importance of keeping his body in great condition, so that his knee can get to the same point and it doesn’t become a factor for the future Hall of Famer.

Many were wondering if last season was his final season in the association, as people thought Father Time finally caught up to him and he got the chance to play alongside his son Bronny.

However, his family keeps on motivating him to play for another season, as he is showing no signs of slowing down.

“They’re like, ‘Dad, continue on your dream. This is your dream. Continue on your focus. You’ve been here for us this whole time,'” James said. “When you have that type of support … it makes it a lot easier.”

While he has said his time in the NBA is coming to an end, LeBron has never given an official timeline. Plus, according to Dalton Knecht, the two had a conversation where LeBron said he can play another five-to-ten years – if he wanted to.

There is a lot of speculation floating around NBA circles that LeBron won’t retire until he has the chance to play with his other son, Bryce. His youngest son becomes draft eligible in 2026.

When LeBron is able to play ball with all his kids professionally, then many suspect “The King” to retire shortly there afterwards.

According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the Los Angeles Lakers inquired on Atlanta Hawks starting center Onyeka Okongwu during the trade deadline.

Rob Pelinka gave a list of names of centers to Luka Doncic, this included Okongwu and Mark Williams. Doncic was intrigued about Atlanta’s young center, which prompted the Lakers to make a call to the Hawks to ask about a potential trade.

This was before agreeing, and then rescinding, the Mark Williams trade featuring the Charlotte Hornets.

“Before the Mark Williams trade, and I can’t tell you all the names on that list that Rob Pelinka presented to Luka, [but] I do know that the Lakers made a call to the Hawks around the trade deadline about Okongwu,” said Dave McMenamin on the Straight Fire podcast with Jason McIntyre. 

With Clint Capela expected to no longer be with the franchise heading forward, this will solidify the 24-year-old’s role as their permanent starting center. His contract runs through the 2027-28 season.

Last season, Okongwu averaged 13.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. He had a career-high in minutes, points, rebounds, and assists. He is seen as a cornerstone piece of the Hawks.

According to multiple reports, the Los Angeles Lakers have no interest in trading Austin Reaves anywhere, unless it means securing a top-tier center to compliment LeBron James and Luka Doncic.

Rob Pelinka’s team have been eyeballing Brooklyn Nets’ Nic Claxton and Dallas Mavericks’ Daniel Gafford. Both individuals who can play both sides of the court and become a lob threat, which is a special request from Doncic.

In 2026, Reaves can become an unrestricted free agent, as he’s expected not to sign an extension due to him believing he is worth more than what the Lakers can offer him.

The max extension Los Angeles can give Reaves is a four-year, $89.2 million deal. If he decides to opt out of $53 million player option and seek free agency, then he could command a max deal around $180-$200 million.

It is unclear what one of the best third options in the league is wanting to do, but he is one of the more valuable pieces on Pelinka’s roster. Outside of him, the leader of the front office has Dalton Knecht and the 2031 first-round pick.

If the Lakers feel as though their time with Reaves is coming to an end, then it’s reportedly expected of them to trade him to get that coveted center to boost their odds of winning a championship under Doncic.