Lakers Trading LeBron James Now Probable, Says Insider

Bleacher Report NBA writer Greg Swartz believes a trade involving Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is not just possible but probable during the offseason. Swartz argues that while moving James's $52.6 million salary while keeping a championship-contending roster would be difficult for the Lakers, possibilities exist. He notes that any potential trade requires cooperation between James and the Lakers due to James's no-trade clause, and while a buyout would be ideal for James, it wouldn't make sense for the Lakers.

Trade speculation intensified after James's agent, Rich Paul, released a statement to ESPN regarding James exercising his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season. Paul stated that James wants to compete for a championship and values a realistic chance to win, acknowledging the Lakers are building for the future. Paul expressed appreciation for the partnership with the Lakers' ownership (Jeanie Buss) and management (Rob Pelinka), calling the team a critical part of James's career. He emphasized the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future and stated the need to evaluate what's best for James at this stage, wanting every remaining season to count, adding that the Lakers are supportive of this goal.

However, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported conflicting information, stating that neither Paul nor James are actively seeking a trade from the Lakers. McMenamin clarified that Paul told him they never asked the Lakers for a contract extension beyond next season, countering speculation that this was the cause of the situation. Paul also explicitly told McMenamin that James has not requested a trade and that Paul hasn't even discussed the possibility of a future trade request with the Lakers.

Due to these conflicting reports, James's future with the Lakers has become a major source of uncertainty and questions around the league, ensuring it will be one of the most prominent storylines for the remainder of the NBA offseason.