Shams Charania Drops Bombshell Inside Scoop on LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo & $46M Clutch Guard in Stunning Trade Twist

NBA insider Shams Charania said that fans should be on the lookout for possible trades during the season for the LA Lakers' LeBron James, the Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young.

On Thursday's episode of "Flagrant" podcast, Charania was asked to name one player "to keep an eye on" this season. However, the ESPN insider dropped names of three All-Stars.

According to Charania, Young's future in Atlanta is up in the air. In 2025-26, the Hawks star is earning $46 million on the fourth season of his five-year contract, per Spotrac. However, Charania noted that he did not sign an extension this offseason. Young could be a free agent next summer if he doesn't pick up his $48.97 million player option for the 2026-27 season.

"He could stay in Atlanta, but he's gonna have a market," Charania said. "We're talking about Trae Young here. So, Giannis, Trae Young, and as the season go along, there's always guys that will pop up."

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Charania also said that he believes that James' future with the Lakers remains uncertain.

"We still don’t know where LeBron James is going to be," Charania added. "Is he going to finish his career with the Lakers, or is he going to be somewhere else? I think it’s very much up in the air. .... I’m not sure that he knows exactly how the end is going to play out. "Could it be with the Lakers? Sure. But he’s a free agent at the end of the season. So if he’s going to continue to play, there’s clearly a chance he’s somewhere else, potentially. He could stay with the Lakers. Just saying."

Ahead of the 2025-26 season, Charania reported that Antetokounmpo's desired destination outside of Milwaukee is the New York Knicks. The insider claimed that the Bucks and the Knicks had a discussion; however, nothing materialized.

Speculation about LeBron James' future has been ongoing in recent years. The four-time NBA champion will turn 41 in December and is just on a one-year contract with the Lakers.

LeBron James' injury recovery is 'on track'

On Oct. 9, the LA Lakers announced that LeBron James will be sidelined for at least three to four weeks due to sciatica or nerve irritation in his glute. The injury caused the 21-time All-Star to miss the preseason and training camp.

Ahead of Wednesday's 116-115 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, Lakers coach JJ Redick said that the team is targeting the second or third week of November for James' debut this season. While Redick noted there is no set date, the update aligns with the original prognosis of James' injury.

LeBron James is set to appear in an NBA-record 23rd season. The Lakers are 3-2 and will next face the Memphis Grizzlies in NBA Cup action on Friday.

Edited by Kim Daniel Rubinos