CHICAGO -- The NBA playoffs are in full swing, with the New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder having punched their tickets to the conference finals and the Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs having opportunities to join the league's final four on Friday night.
But that hasn't stopped the entire league from convening in the Windy City this week for the NBA draft combine, the league's annual convention that serves as a clearing house not just for prospects hoping to begin their NBA careers by hearing their names called in Brooklyn next month at the draft, but also for the beginning of discussions about offseason moves -- trades, free agency and the like -- to take place.
That's been no different this week, when plenty of topics have been buzzing around Wintrust Arena.
We dove into five of them, beginning with the league's oldest player and where he could wind up, and for how much, this summer.
Jump to a section: Executives predict LeBron's next step More 76ers questions after Morey's exit How the Clippers handle Kawhi's future Bucks want 'clean break' from Giannis? Tricky negotiations for two Pistons stars
What will happen with LeBron James this summer?
Windhorst: A wise veteran league executive once told me that when it comes to paying veteran superstars, often "it's not about the money, it's about the money."
It's not so much about what the Lakers could pay the 41-year-old James if he decides to extend his career, it's about what they should. And where strategy ends and respect, business and brand protection begin. To be clear, talk to people with the Los Angeles Lakers, in James' camp and around the league and you'll arrive at one conclusion:
There is no playbook for this situation.