Philadelphia would retain its young core, which includes 2024 first-round pick Jared McCain and VJ Edgecombe, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. McCain was the frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year award before sustaining a season-ending torn meniscus in December.

James is still under contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, but the rumblings about his future continue to flood social media.

Per Vardon and Woike, the NBA's all-time leading scorer's lack of engagement on a potential exit and numerous barriers to the forward joining other teams will likely combine to keep him on Los Angeles into training camp.