Reporter: The Lakers hope James announces retirement to tour this season, but James is eager to continue playing

July 3rd News Today, The Athletic reporter Sam Amick talked about Lakers forward James' trade rumors on the podcast "The Rich Eisen Show".

When asked if Ritchie Paul's statement on James' future was a farewell letter, Amick said: "Maybe, we're not at that point. I mentioned the wording of that statement before, only time can tell if it's a farewell letter. Maybe years later, when we look back, it will eventually be considered a farewell letter. I don't know how to interpret it. I think he is investigating options, but he doesn't have many options. Based on the current labor-management agreement, even LeBron can't just wave his wand and go where he wants to go.

"I've always thought that actions are better than words lately, as I've reported before, the Lakers have not discussed anything with LeBron that is beyond the prospect of renewal this season, and that move largely shows what they think of him now. That is, what they ideally should be his announcement of retirement and allowing them to host a retirement tour for him all year, which would be the cleanest and easy way to end the relationship. And his desire to continue playing—that is of course his right, that could cause problems that they have to agree that they can’t continue to give him $50 million in annual salary. So I think he is observing everything at this time, studying everything, and then we will wait and see how things will develop. But the situation does seem a bit fragile and uncertain at the moment. ”