The Lakers superstar is going nowhere
The NBA world was stunned Thursday by a report claiming that the Los Angeles Lakers were exploring a potential LeBron James trade. Time is running out for the King, now in his sixth season wearing the Lakers‘ famous purple and gold, as he seeks a fifth NBA championship before he hangs up his sneakers for good — and Los Angeles does not appear to be on a path to title contention even after winning the inaugural In-Season Tournament in December.
However, James‘ agent has spoken out regarding the recent report and has, in no uncertain terms, denied that Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka will pull the trigger on a seismic trade before the trade deadline on Feb. 8.
Lakers will not trade LeBron before the deadline
ESPN on Friday reported that Rich Paul, James’ longtime representative, has shot down the claims that James could be dealt. Paul told Brian Windhorst that the 39-year-old “won’t be traded,” and that the NBA’s all-time scoring leader has not made such a request to the Lakers’ front office.
James has a player option he could exercise next summer to remain with Los Angeles through the end of the 2024/25 season. Speculation about James’ future plans is always at least at a low simmer, but the intrigue and rumors will soon wind back up as the 19-time All-Star ponders his next move — whether that means an extension with Los Angeles or a free-agent contract elsewhere. As ever, he is in control of his future.
If James stays in LA, he may want to see Pelinka swing a trade for one of the big fish being dangled on the trade market in advance of the deadline. All-Star level scorers DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, both of the Chicago Bulls, could be had for the right price — which includes draft assets and other players.
Lakers destined for the play-in…or worse
Most agree that the Lakers, sitting ninth in the Western Conference, need to do something to reinforce the roster before next week. Otherwise, James could sit out the playoffs — because Los Angeles might not make it.
The Lakers have a 25-25 record and are 1.5 games away from falling out of the top 10 out West entirely. In fact, even with James still performing at a high level this season, Los Angeles is closer to the 11th-place Houston Rockets than the sixth-place Phoenix Suns — who occupy the final “guaranteed” playoff berth in the conference.
James is averaging 24.9 points, 7.7 assists, and 7.5 rebounds per game this season, but neither he nor co-star Anthony Davis has been able to spark any sort of consistency for the Lakers. Time will tell whether Los Angeles gets it together after the upcoming All-Star Game — and whether it will have a serious impace on the King’s NBA future.
