Although there has been some recent speculation about the possibility of Lakers star LeBron James eventually asking out of Los Angeles, ESPN’s Zach Lowe and Dave McMenamin said on the latest episode of The Lowe Post that they haven’t heard anything to suggest that will happen.
“I keep hearing he wants to stay with the Lakers. He wants to finish his career with the Lakers,” Lowe said, per RealGM. “His comments (about wanting to win) should be interpreted as his patience is not infinite and if this is just a continued morass of losing, maybe that changes. But if you force me to bet, I’d still bet on him finishing his career with the Lakers. And I’d feel pretty confident in that.”
As we’ve written multiple times, James can’t be traded this season. While it’s not out of the question that he could request a trade in the summer, the expectation is that even if the Lakers don’t use their 2027 and 2029 first-round picks as trade ammunition during the current season, they’ll still be willing to do so during the offseason, when they’ll have more cap flexibility and more options. If that’s the case, it’s not hard to imagine LeBron being comfortable with his situation in Los Angeles heading into 2023/24.
Here’s more on the Lakers:
- In an opinion column for USA Today, Jeff Zillgitt questions why the Lakers aren’t more willing to use their resources (including those two future first-round picks) to upgrade in the short term. As Zillgitt observes, James is still playing at an All-NBA level at age 38 and no obvious frontrunner has emerged in the Western Conference — there’s no guarantee that both of those things will be true again next season.
- Besides the fact that he’s unlikely to still be with the Lakers by the time they make both picks, James probably doesn’t care much about the team’s 2027 and 2029 first-rounders for another reason, writes Brian Windhorst of ESPN (Insider link). As Windhorst lays out, James’ teams have only drafted a first-rounder and teamed him with LeBron in five of his 20 seasons, and none of those one-time prospects (including J.J. Hickson, Norris Cole, and Shannon Brown) came close to becoming an All-Star.
- He wasn’t a first-round pick, but Lakers rookie Max Christie is looking like another diamond in the rough for the franchise, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic. As Buha details, Christie – who says he’s exceeding his own expectations so far in his rookie year – is relishing the opportunity to learn from former MVPs like James and Russell Westbrook. “He’s figuring it out, man,” Westbrook said. “He’s young. He’s going to be in this league for a long time. I’m happy to be here to help him start his career and make things easier for him. Hopefully, he’ll continue learning, continue listening, and he’s going to do so many great things in the league.”
Why should the Lakers make trades so patient?
Why not make trades two months ago?
Exactly, I like this article
Former mvp trade away
All times greats trade away
I’ve believed for some time that LAL FO has no intention of doing a major in-season deal this year, meaning a deal that either takes on salary beyond this season (and cutting into their projected 30 mm in cap space this off season) or involves their remaining tradable 1st round picks.
They just can’t say it (due to expectations of LBJ, the media, the fanbase, etc.), and, of course, they could always change course if a special opportunity arises. They’ll kick the tires, as is their job, but that’s about it.
I was of the same belief as well all year long but some reports have lakers declining det for bogs / nunn bev 27’ unprotected; a deal that actually makes sense and made me re-think my stance
If lakers are not budging on that ( fair deal ) I don’t see how anything else works – outside something truly nominal
I’m fine w no deal but the Bogs deal does seem tempting – By Feb 1 if they are still treading this unusual line in the west of only being 2 games outta 6 th I think they should pull that trigger.
Only logical off-season trade is the Clippers, imo. Lakers could trade Bron for T Mann, Zubac, Powell and Clips’ ‘28 and ‘30 firsts and they get three rotation players in their 20s plus picks and open up more cap space.
Lakers get huge value for Lebron before his contract runs out a year later, Clippers get a big star that makes them seem like a bigger deal than the Lakers, and Bron gets a better team without even having to move AND an owner rich enough to pay huge tax bills even with Bron maxed on his NEXT contract.
Clips consolidate some talent on their deep roster and lean harder into centerless playoff lineups with Kawhi, Bron, PG13, Morris, Kennard, etc.
Would never happen to clippers
You must be a Libra
Sullivan is this you!? ️
This might be the dumbest thing I’ve read on this site
I’ve watched every Lakers game this season. Am I crazy for thinking that if somehow they can get everyone healthy that they are legit contenders? Walker and Bryant were absolute steals and christie is better than I thought he would be this soon. They need to give nunn more minutes because if he gets back to form and everyone else is healthy we won’t be an easy out in the playoffs.