LeBron James Will Remain With Lakers Past Trade Deadline
lakers-wont-trade-lebron-before-deadline
The Los Angeles Lakers have no plans to move LeBron James before the NBA’s trade deadline on Thursday, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported.
James controls a full no-trade clause, so any deal would require his direct approval. According to the report, he has given no indication he will waive that right this week.
The decision follows a month of speculation about James’s future, fueled in part by an ESPN article that described a tense relationship between the four-time MVP and team governor Jeanie Buss. That story also revealed Buss once examined trading James earlier in his Lakers tenure.
While the immediate situation is settled, long-term questions remain. James’s contract expires after this season, and the 41-year-old has not stated whether he intends to re-sign in Los Angeles, join another franchise, or retire.
Around the league, executives have already begun to discuss possible destinations if he chooses to keep playing. The Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, and Golden State Warriors are viewed as logical options and have all been active ahead of the deadline. Cleveland, notably, just added James Harden in a separate move.
On the court, James continues to produce at an elite level, averaging 21.8 points, 6.6 assists, and 5.8 rebounds across 33 minutes per game. He recorded 25 points and seven assists in Tuesday’s road win over the Brooklyn Nets.
For now, the questions about James center on where—and for how long—he will continue his career, not whether he will finish this season in purple and gold.
Source: Hoops Wire
