With the Los Angeles Lakers struggling to gain and sustain any real momentum, there has been a lot of talk that LeBron James is wasting the last portion of his prime on a substandard team.
Some have suggested it would be beneficial for both parties if he were to be traded elsewhere.
James signed a hefty contract extension over the summer that could keep him in L.A. through the 2024-25 season. However, it will be difficult for the Lakers to recreate a championship-caliber roster around him, and his huge salary has been cited as one impediment.
According to NBA rules, James cannot be traded this season since he recently signed an extension. One NBA insider said if it weren’t for that rule, the four-time MVP would possibly be asking out right now.
Via Lakers Daily:
“I honestly believe that if he could be traded before the trade deadline, which he can’t be, he might be pushing for that behind the scenes right now,” Ethan Skolnick said. “But he can’t, so that’s not an option. … He should be finishing his career in a place like Cleveland or Miami … and try to finish up and win there. If the Lakers, look if they don’t want him, somebody else with take him. And it does not seem to me like they want him.”
James recently voiced something akin to frustration regarding the lack of help around him. However, even if he were to request a trade this summer, executing one would not be easy.
A big question would be what the market would look like for him, considering his age, mileage and huge contract. Another question would be what the Lakers would demand in return for him.
