Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Doncic (77) and LeBron James, center, right, hug and celebrate late in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
As the team turns its attention to a new long-term plan centred on Luka Doncic, the Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly considering a big trade including LeBron James, whose contract is worth $101 million. Even though James chose to exercise his $52.6 million player option this summer, his future with the team is still up in the air. According to analyst Grant Hughes, there are valid basketball reasons why LeBron James needs to be mentioned in trade talks.
“His inclusion here isn’t about clicks. It’s fully warranted because the Los Angeles Lakers are clearly no longer his team,” he said. This viewpoint emphasises the team’s shift to younger players and suggests that James, at forty, might not be the Lakers’ mainstay in the future.
Potential Trade DestinationsTeams hoping to win a title are keeping a careful eye on James’ condition. The Miami Heat, where James previously achieved success, the Cleveland Cavaliers, where a homecoming might be imminent, and the Golden State Warriors, who have a squad full of veterans who are still keen to qualify for the playoffs, are all possible trade destinations. James might be seen by these teams as a useful addition to help them in their title quest.
The Lakers’ intention to prolong their championship window past James’s career is reflected in their willingness to look into trades for him. The organisation is striking a balance between his present contributions and future planning, even though he is still essential to the team’s immediate success. Depending on the dynamics and performance of the team, a midseason trade seems like a plausible option.
The NBA’s changing landscape suggests that the Los Angeles Lakers are at a turning point in their history, balancing the need for a new era under Luka Doncic with the influence of LeBron James. The choices taken in the upcoming months have the potential to drastically alter the team’s future as the 2025–26 season draws near.