Lakers star LeBron James won’t ask to be traded and won’t be dealt ahead of next Thursday’s deadline, agent Rich Paul tells Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
There has been no reputable reporting suggesting that James was considering requesting a trade or that the Lakers were weighing the possibility of moving him.
However, there has been some speculation from fans and media members about LeBron’s future, given the Lakers’ middling record (25-25) this season, his age (39), and his contract situation (he can become an unrestricted free agent this summer).
James perhaps fueled that speculation by cryptically tweeting an hourglass emoji following Tuesday’s loss, but Paul opted to shut down it before it went any further, telling ESPN, “LeBron won’t be traded, and we aren’t asking to be.”
Paul’s comments come as no surprise. Although James has changed teams multiple times over the course of his lengthy career, he has never requested a mid-season trade, haing always made his moves during free agency, and the Lakers wouldn’t look to move one of the NBA’s all-time greats without a push from him.
James has, on the other hand, made a habit over the years of putting pressure on his teams’ front offices by making comments to reporters or on social media hinting that roster upgrades are necessary. His hourglass tweet may have been referencing the time ticking down until the February 8 trade deadline or on the Lakers to salvage their up-and-down season.
The Lakers had an encouraging showing on Thursday, pulling out an upset victory over the Celtics in Boston despite James (ankle) and Anthony Davis (Achilles/hip) both missing the game.
OK, cool.
There have also been rumors that last Tuesday LeBaby fell asleep on the couch for 15 minutes after supper. Any truth to that?
He living rent free in your head clearly
You clearly don’t understand that phrase, as it does not apply here.
Does someone want him?
lol, if u want to win u would want him. It’s not his fault the lakers roster is trash behind him and AD.
Trash roster just beat the full strength Celtics in the Gahden. I’d say the Lakers have a problem with their leadership, whether it’s the star players, coaches or the front office.
Trash roster and referees, that is.
13morgs, I think the roster his is fault. You think Pelinka is pulling the strings in LA?
There would be plenty of teams that would want him.
Philly, Dallas, Miami, Cleveland, NYK
Just off the top of my head
I think the only team that can possibly and i mean POSSIBLY, are the Miami Heat.
They made it 2 times the last four years and they have an aging Butler next to him. Riley and James have amended their issues. They desperately want another ring and the east with Embiid’s season in-doubt, and Bucks defensive identity issues makes them more urgent to get a deal done.
Miami gets: James $47M this year – $51M next year (player option) and Christan Wood ( $2.7M this year)
Lakers get: Tyler Herro ($29M next year), Duncan Robinson ($19M next year), Caleb Martin ($7.1M next year player option), 2028 1st round top 10 protected, 2030 lottery protected.
Heat run it back with Lebron, JB, Bam, Rozier, and Jaquez. That might be enough to beat Boston, but then again it’s all about if Miami is really desperate for a title.
I want to see that just for the huge shakeup that would be
You’re going to have to remove the pick protections on that. If the Lakers trade James, it’s so they can blow it up and rebuild. That’s an awful package if they’re trying to rebuild.
I think the Lakers will somehow rebuild thru FA. Lakers MO has never been to rebuild thru the draft unless it’s a top 3 pick, and they don’t have the patience like other front offices/franchises. Miami would definitely be interested I feel.
But if the Lakers are rebuilding through FA, how would this package be a good one? You’re getting two bloated salaries in Robinson and Herro, and neither of them are expiring. Robinson has two more years left, Herro has three. Martin has one year left, too.
So they’re not getting good draft compensation and they’re also getting their hands tied financially for the next two seasons.
If they’re trading LBJ, they need either expiring deals or premium draft compensation. Your Miami package gets them neither. I agree that Miami would have interest in Lebron, but I don’t think they have the assets to pull it off.
Mia also doesn’t have those picks to trade
Much to do bout nothing
lakers win a game without him on the floor and this kind of announcement is made. Sounds like Lebron is the one in fear of the Lakers moving on without him.
Nobody wants this uncoachable, 0 BBIQ, ruining the game with his resting and ring chasing super team morals, fake evil personality, scared of a dunk contest because everyone watching him and nobody to blame that would kill him mentally, help me silver (let’s help each other) i need help everyone, flopping and crying, standing at half court on defense, not top 5, doesn’t respect America, overrated drama queen on their team
Lol
Thou doth protest too much…
I disagree with the zero basketball IQ take and that’s it.
It’s unlikely because of business and family obligations but Cleveland was feasible and they need a big wing.
Garland, Okoro and a bunch of seconds(but not this year’s second)for LeBron. It’s not enough for LeBron, but it’s close and if LeBron wants traded he gets traded.
Cleveland keeps this year’s second to use on Bronny to further entice LBJ to stick around to open up a two year contention window. The Lakers would get a very good PG to pair with Davis and perhaps make a run of their own.
Bronny will go undrafted if he goes pro after this year. He’ll be an undrafted free agent and sign wherever his dad is playing. He’ll be better off with another year of college.
Laker fans would cry when Bronny gets drafted…
Please retire soon, Brawny Sensation. You’ve already done enough damage – I mean (cough cough)….. “amazing things”. Skap Attack is way off base about you. How could he?
Lebron come to gsw. We will pick bronny and even bring back Chris Paul if you want
Steph, Klay, Dray, CP3 and Bron. That lineup would MAYBE play 2 games together.
LMAO im dying at this comment.
Rich Paul is a scumbag
Time for the Lakers and Lebron to both move on. He’s too old and injury prone. Needs to retire gracefully.
where theres smoke theres fire
Of course because LeBron is the GM of the Lakers..
A screen of smoke…
Why would Lebron be traded? Lakers won the offseason and nearly beat last years champs in the playoffs……lol
The Knicks should have no part in trying to get LBJ. He wanted no part of us before the decision and before he went back to Cleveland. LBJ had plenty of chances.