LeBron James reportedly will not be traded ahead of Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET deadline and is expected to finish the season with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
James, 41, has a no-trade clause and would have to approve any deal. This is part of the two-year, $101.36 million max contract he signed with the Lakers in July of 2024.
LeBron James Could Retire With Lakers
ESPN’s Baxter Holmes sparked new trade rumors involving James last month when he published a bombshell report detailing the strained relationship between James and Lakers governor Jeanie Buss.
Buss reportedly wanted to trade James to the Clippers in the summer of 2022 because she felt the four-time MVP had an “outsized ego” and that Klutch Sports, which represents him, gained “overt control” over the team.
However, if there was or still is any tension between James and Buss, it’s not enough for the two sides to push for an in-season breakup. It should be noted that James has never been traded in his 23-year NBA career.
If James decides to leave the Lakers, it will likely be this summer as his contract expires after the season, and he hasn’t indicated whether he intends to remain with the Purple and Gold, join a new team, or retire.
McMenamin noted that the Cavaliers, Knicks, and Warriors are all considered potential destinations for James if he decides to play another year.
James played 11 seasons with the Cavs and helped win them their lone NBA championship in 2016.
Warriors Remain Interested In James
NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported in August that Golden State had contacted the Lakers “on multiple occasions over the past 18 months” to express interest in a trade for James.
“As long as LeBron James’ future in Los Angeles remains uncertain, Golden State will undoubtedly be mentioned as a potential James suitor,” Fischer wrote.
“I’m told that the Warriors have called the Lakers on multiple occasions over the past 18 months to see whether there is any trade pathway to pairing James with Stephen Curry, who roughly a year ago at this time was teaming with LeBron for the United States senior men’s national team on its run to a gold medal at the Paris Olympics.”
Through 32 appearances (all starts) this season, James is averaging 22 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 33 minutes per game while shooting 50.9% from the field and 32.2% from 3-point territory.
In addition, James earned a record-extending 22nd NBA All-Star Game selection on Sunday night. The 6-foot-9 wing was named a reserve after he wasn’t listed among the All-Star Game starters for the first time since 2004.
