NBA news summary: James stays with the Lakers, Finney refuses to renew the Lakers

Currently, the NBA trading market has officially started an active period. Players should renew their contracts and teams should recruit them. Here is a summary of yesterday's NBA transactions:

First, Oklahoma City Thunder big man Jaylin Williams will sign a three-year, $24 million contract extension. Williams, 23, averaged 5.9 points and 5.6 rebounds last season and shot nearly 40% from three-pointers.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is exercising his $52.6 million player option in the 2025-26 season, CEO Ritchie Paul told ESPN's Shams. James is the best scorer of his NBA career and is entering his record-breaking season 23.

U.S. District Attorney's Office is investigating Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley's alleged gambling charges related to NBA games and subject betting. Sources said Beasley, 28, and the Pistons are negotiating a new three-year, $42 million contract to bring the free agent marksman back to Detroit, but negotiations are now suspended. The 9-year-old averaged 16.3 points in all 82 games last season, his first game with the Pistons.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith is rejecting his $15.4 million player option for the 2025-26 season and will be in free agency. It is expected that starting Monday night, multiple competitive teams will pursue Finney Smith, and the Lakers may return.

Oklahoma City Thunder intends to sign a three-year new contract worth nearly $9 million with guard Ajay Mitchell after he rejected team options for the 2025-26 season.

Philadelphia 76ers guard Eric Gordon is rejecting his $3.4 million player option to explore free agents. Returning to the Sixers is still possible.

The Philadelphia 76ers are rejecting guard Lonnie Walker IV’s $2.9 million team option to make him a free agent. Walker played 20 games for the Sixers last season, averaging 12.3 points, 23.8 minutes and 35.4% of 3-point shooting percentage.