Last season, the Golden State Warriors reportedly inquired about a trade for Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James ahead of the trade deadline, and this season, there has reportedly been some chatter within the league about James possibly revisiting that idea.
But while speaking on any potential trade involving the 20-time All-Star, one NBA executive offered a reality check.
“The Lakers or any team who might want to trade for him don’t really have any say in the matter,” the executive told ESPN. “He’s got a no-trade clause. Unless he goes in and tells [owner] Jeanie [Buss] he wants to leave, it’s not even a discussion.”
The executive’s comments are important to keep in mind, especially when considering that James has had his chances to leave the Lakers yet remains with the franchise today. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst spoke about that very thing several days ago.
“So, I would just say that twice in the last 10 months, LeBron has had an opportunity to leave the Lakers,” Windhorst said. “One, at the trade deadline last year when the Warriors called. The Lakers went to LeBron and said, ‘Do you seriously wanna get traded?’ He said, ‘No.’ Last summer he became a free agent. He re-signed with the Lakers.”
Windhorst continued.
“LeBron has repeatedly made it clear he wants to be a Laker,” Windhorst said. “And if that’s the case, he’s got a no-trade clause. There’s nothin’ really to talk about.”
Windhorst also cautioned several days back that any potential trade sending James from the Lakers to the Warriors would be hard to execute due to logistical factors, like apron restrictions and the fact that L.A. doesn’t own its first-round pick for the next draft.
Given all of the obstacles, it seems like James will probably stay put. However, if he does decide that he wants a change of scenery, he has the power to go to the Lakers and see about a trade.
For now, he and L.A. are looking to pump some life into their season. The Lakers are 13-11 and currently hold a play-in spot in the Western Conference, a fate they’d like to avoid if possible.
James has been away from the team recently due to personal reasons. On the floor, he hasn’t always looked like himself this season, but he has still been able to average 23.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game in 23 appearances.
The future Hall of Famer, nearly 40, doesn’t have too much time left in his NBA career, and he may want to simply ride off into the sunset with the Lakers. But if something unexpected happens, he could join the fourth team of his NBA career after he also had stops with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat.
His situation could remain a topic of conversation leading up to the trade deadline this season, which is set for Feb. 6.
