Lakers’ LeBron James, agent Rich Paul expected to meet with Jeanie Buss

LeBron James is not going anywhere quietly. And the Lakers know it.

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, James and agent Rich Paul are expected to meet with Lakers governor Jeanie Buss soon in an effort to clear the air after recent reporting hinted at lingering tension between the two sides.

That includes the idea that Buss never loved the narrative of James arriving in 2018 as the savior of a struggling franchise.

Behind the scenes, this is about smoothing over scar tissue. There is plenty of it.

James is 41 and headed toward unrestricted free agency. Retirement is a possibility. So is another season. What happens next will likely depend on how aligned he feels with the organization’s direction.

James brushed off the recent ESPN story, saying he does not care about articles, podcasts, or outside noise.

“I’m 41 years old. I watch golf every day,” James said. “I don’t care how somebody feels about me.”

The relationship between James and the Lakers has produced a title, plenty of drama, and more than a few front-office regrets. The upcoming meeting feels less like small talk and more like a necessary conversation about what comes next.