Why the Lakers Believe LeBron James Won’t Request a Trade
After the Lakers acquired Luka Doncic late Saturday, attention quickly shifted to LeBron James and his future with the team.
Throughout his entire NBA career, James has always been the centerpiece of every team’s plans, and the Lakers have followed suit. Heading into the trade deadline, the expectation was that the Lakers would assess whether they had enough to support James in his pursuit of another championship.
Instead, the Lakers made a different choice — they began focusing beyond LeBron.
By trading for Doncic, the Lakers initiated an unofficial shift, moving away from prioritizing James’ needs and instead focusing on their new 25-year-old star.
As rival executives and even some Lakers staff speculated about the possibility of James requesting a trade, the 40-year-old star had to consider what the Lakers were offering him.
Sources familiar with the Lakers’ plans, speaking anonymously, stated that the team is not worried about James requesting a trade this season. While James could opt out of his contract next summer, which would pay him over $52 million, the Lakers are not concerned about that for now.
The Lakers are optimistic that James can not only pair effectively with Doncic but also mentor the young star on maintaining the physical commitment necessary for sustained excellence.
James has another significant reason to stay in Los Angeles, the city where he has expressed a desire to finish his career. Recent Lakers victories over the Wizards and Knicks showcased how his priorities have evolved.
In the game against Washington on Thursday, the Lakers’ bench erupted in joy when his son, Bronny James, made a tough shot while being fouled. LeBron smiled and embraced the moment before teammate Rui Hachimura gave him a playful headlock. The next day, during a dominant win over the Knicks, the crowd at LeBron’s favorite arena chanted, “We want Bronny,” just as LeBron played and scored for the second game in a row.
“It’s probably the greatest thing I’ve ever been a part of,” LeBron said.
This marked the first time Bronny James had seen his father play at Madison Square Garden, and the significance of the iconic venue hit him during warmups as fans crowded to watch.
“In the Garden, getting a bucket here felt like the entire arena was cheering for you,” Bronny said. “It’s insane.”
Equally remarkable is watching LeBron continue to perform at such a high level at age 40.
“It’s insane for anyone to watch,” Bronny remarked. “A 40-year-old man coming out and playing… but to produce and play with as much energy as he does, it’s insane to see.”
Forty-seven games into the Lakers’ season, despitethe craziness surrounding it,