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10 hours ago
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The Lakers are in a tough position as they weigh whether to keep LeBron James for the upcoming season and let him walk afterward, or trade him before the deadline. For the first time in his career, James has no control in Los Angeles.
“He's still that good. I don't think it's his last year, but the fact that the Lakers did not discuss a 1-in-1, or a 2-in-1, or contracts beyond this year with him. They just let him sit back... that tells you a lot. It's not in his control with LA,” ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne said.
A trade doesn't appear imminent, but it remains a possibility.
“A LeBron trade still seems highly unlikely, but that hasn’t stopped some teams from at least reaching out as, according to Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst of ESPN, there have been inquiries from a few teams to the Lakers on a potential deal,” Lakers Nation’s Corey Hansford wrote.
While a move isn't expected right now, several teams have expressed interest in James' trade availability.
“McMenamin did not share which four teams reached out to Paul, but noted that Paul specified James has not asked for a trade from the Lakers. Paul has additionally not even talked with James about possibly wanting a trade in the future,” Sports Illustrated’s Eva Geitheim wrote.
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Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes proposed a potential trade package that would send James to the Spurs. In the deal, the Lakers would receive Keldon Johnson, Harrison Barnes, Jeremy Sochan, and a 2027 first-round pick.
“Wemby likely would have been an All-NBA first-teamer last year if his season hadn't ended at the All-Star break. The Spurs need to recognize they have a top-five player right now and act accordingly,” Hughes wrote.
James joining the Spurs could be dangerous, given their rising young talent now potentially paired with a generational superstar. Meanwhile, the Lakers would gain additional assets to build around Luka Dončić.
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