As things stand, the Lakers appear set to enter the 2025-26 season with a center rotation that is awkward, at best. Ayton is probably the starter, with Jaxson Hayes behind him. Neither offers much defensively, and with the way the Lakers are built, that’s a major hindrance.

Now that the Lakers have signed Ayton, and re-signed Jaxson Hayes as the backup, an NBA insider has given an update on where things stand on a possible trade between the two teams. More news: LeBron James Reportedly Wanted to Join Mavericks, Team Up With Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is locked in for the 2025-26 NBA season. LeBron, 40, is the oldest active player in the league. He turns 41 in December and has nothing left to prove, as he’s the leading scorer of all time,