Lakers Source Downplays LeBron James Not Reaching Out To Marcus Smart: ‘He’s On Vacation, Calm Down’

July 23, 2025

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Marcus Smart, NBA — Harry How/Getty Images

Marcus Smart revealed to Los Angeles Lakers reporters on Tuesday that he hasn’t heard from NBA legend LeBron James.

Why? Because LeBron is on vacation with his wife, Savannah James.

“He’s on vacation,” a Lakers source told Hoops Wire. “Calm down. LeBron is allowed to enjoy his summer. He doesn’t have to be about us (the Lakers) and basketball all the time. He’ll connect with Marcus when he’s back.”

The Lakers have been busy this offseason. After losing Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles signed Jake LaRavia, Deandre Ayton and Smart.

Luka Doncic recruited Ayton and Smart to the Lakers, who lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games despite being the third seed in the West.

LeBron picked up his 2025-26 player option with Los Angeles. He will make $52.6 million next season in the final year of his contract. The NBA icon could retire after next season, multiple sources told Hoops Wire.

Despite being the oldest active player in the NBA, LeBron is still an elite offensive weapon. He averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists last season in 70 games. The leading scorer of all time finished sixth in MVP voting and made the All-NBA Second Team.

LeBron’s future with the Lakers became a sizzling topic after his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, told NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN, “LeBron wants to compete for a championship. He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all.

“We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’ve had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career. We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what’s best for him.”

That statement by Paul was to put pressure on Rob Pelinka to improve Los Angeles’ roster and it worked, as the Lakers added LaRavia, Ayton and Smart.