LeBron James is truly a one-of-one.
I still remember his high school games being televised on ESPN, a rarity in those days. Yes, I’m an old. He truly was a man amongst boys and his athleticism wasn’t just noticeable, it slapped you in the face.
I still remember debating with my boy about LeBron James vs. Carmelo Anthony. James was the number one overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft straight from high school while Anthony was selected third after guiding ‘Cuse to the chip as a freshman. My boy thought James was overhyped while Anthony already produced against high-level competition, so that’s where his money and mouth went.
And my boy was right in his thinking, especially since we’ve seen plenty of prospects flame out.
But James not only delivered on the hype. He redefined it.
James won the Rookie of the Year after averaging 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.7 blocks. He finished ninth in MVP voting his rookie season and stayed in that conversation for the next 18 years.
He has never averaged fewer than 20 points per game in his career — spanning 22 seasons! He put up 24.4 points per game in his age 40 season.
I won’t go through every single one of his accomplishments — honestly, it’d take too long. But here’s something that stands out: the Lakers missed the playoffs in five consecutive seasons before LeBron arrived. A year later? The Larry O’Brien trophy was back in Los Angeles.
James has been the face of the franchise since he arrived in Hollywood, but all things come to an end. And the end for the James/Lakers partnership is nigh.
The Lakers acquired their future face of the franchise in Luka Doncic last season. James has just one year left on his contract, which he opted into at $52.6 million. Donic is only signed through the 2026-27 season, then becomes an unrestricted free agent.
As Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst reported for ESPN, the pendulum has shifted away from James and toward Doncic.
- James was not extended, essentially making him an expiring contract.
- James was not notified leading up to the Anthony Davis/Doncic trade.
- James was not notified prior to the Buss family selling a majority stake in the Lakers.
As a result, James has voiced some concern, which is understandable. His window in the NBA is almost up and he has proven that he can still play at a high level. He wants to still compete at a high level.
On the flip side, the Lakers will still continue fielding a basketball team after James retires, whenever that is. And they just acquired their future face of the franchise. So, mortgaging the future doesn’t seem to make the most sense from an organizational perspective.
Both sides are right. But those rights obviously clash.
Which brings us to the here and now. There has been chatter about a possible buyout situation for James, as the Cleveland Cavaliers intimated that they would only be interested in James if he is bought out by the Lakers.
Well, every contending team will be interested in James if he’s bought out and every contending team will trade for him if the price is palatable. But the price won’t be for most, which is essentially what the Cavaliers sources are saying.
I just don’t see why the Lakers would buy him out. Things would have to get very contentious, but even then, James has no leverage. The Lakers could just have him on the roster and not suit up in that nuclear scenario rather than buy him out and have him play for another team. Once again, it’s an expiring contract. And those are very valuable and highly sought-after assets in the NBA.
The current situation is James passive-aggressively putting pressure on the Lakers to make moves. But at the end of the day, his best chance of trying to make a run in the playoffs will likely be with the Lakers. And it’s not like the team is devoid of talent with Doncic, Austin Reaves and recently signed Deandre Ayton.
DraftKings Sportsbook agrees as the Lakers are the heavy favorite to have LeBron play his first minutes with the Lakers for the 2025-26 season.
Let’s go through each team to see if a trade scenario is viable. James does have a no-trade clause in his contract.
Atlanta Hawks: Bolstered the roster with the acquisitions of Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kennard and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. DK Sportsbook has the Hawks at +1100 to win the Eastern Conference, the sixth-lowest odds. James would certainly help and provide Atlanta with another ball handler and creator alongside Trae Young. Atlanta also has picks, but how would the money work? Young or Jalen Johnson would likely have to be in the package while Porzingis can’t be traded. Three-teamer? Perhaps.
Boston Celtics: Shedding salary.
Brooklyn Nets: Rebuilding.
Charlotte Hornets: Young team that James wouldn’t have interest in.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Sources said that a trade wouldn’t be viable, but if the price is palatable? Unfortunately, I don’t see how the money would work since I’m assuming Evan Mobley, Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland are untouchable, and I doubt Cleveland would want to deplete its wing depth.
Chicago Bulls: Aren’t contenders. Sorry, not sorry, Chi Town.
Dallas Mavericks: James for AD! I kid, I kid. Dallas is +2000 to win the Western Conference. The Lakers are +900, but Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale concocted a three-teamer with Utah: Jarred Vanderbilt, a 2030 second rounder and a 2032 second rounder to Utah. Los Angeles gets Kyle Anderson, Daniel Gafford, Naji Marshall, Klay Thompson, PJ Washington and a 2029 1st. Dallas gets LeBron. Things that make you go, hmmmm.
Denver Nuggets: Denver is +500 to win the Western Conference, the third-lowest odds. I’m sure James would love to play with Nikola Jokic, but would Denver be willing to give up depth and young players for James? Would Jamal Murray need to be included?
Detroit Pistons: Detroit is +1700 to win the Eastern Conference. Don’t think James would sign off.
Golden State Warriors: Golden State has inquired about trading for James in the past, and I think James would welcome the opportunity to play alongside Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. Golden State is +1200 to win the Western Conference. How would the money work, though? Curry is at $59.6 million while Butler is at $54.1 million.
Houston Rockets: Just traded for Kevin Durant. I don’t think James would be a great fit, which is weird to say, but he’s not great on defense and the Rockets need floor spacers, as Alperen Sengun operates in the paint and high post.
Indiana Pacers: They let Myles Turner walk due to tax implications. No way they are trading for James with Tyrese Haliburton likely out for the season.
Los Angeles Clippers: I’m sure Steve Balmer would love to add James to the roster, and James would love to stick it to the Lakers by playing for the Clippers. That said, not sure it’s a viable scenario unless a third team comes in.
Memphis Grizzlies: Memphis is +10000 to win the Western Conference. Memphis was also first in pace last season, which is probably too fast for the soon-to-be 41-year-old legs of LeBron.
Miami Heat: Pat Riley is always on the hunt for superstars, and I think he’d welcome James back to Miami. But at what cost? The Lakers were rumored to be interested in Andrew Wiggins, to pair WITH LeBron, but the asking price was too high, according to Bleacher Report.
Milwaukee Bucks: I’m sure Milwaukee would love to pair James with Giannis Antetkounmpo, but I don’t see how the money/assets line up for it to make sense for the Lakers.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Minnesota is +850 to win the Western Conference. To match the salaries, Minnesota would have to give up too much depth for it to make sense.
New Orleans Pelicans: Has young, enticing talent but not a contender.
New York Knicks: New York is +290 to win the Eastern Conference. James would likely love and thrive in MSG and the salaries could be matched. But this is Jalen Brunson’s team, and while Karl-Anthony Towns would be likely the one traded and New Yorkers have soured on him, he’s still a big-man unicorn who is still only 30 years old.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Next.
Orlando Magic: Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are the franchise cornerstones. Sure, James helps every team because he’s freaking LeBron, but he’s not the best fit for the Magic.
Philadelphia 76ers: Philadelphia is +1000 to win the Eastern Conference. Much depends on the health of Joel Embiid, though. Either Embiid or Paul George would likely have to be traded to the Lakers in a James scenario, and Embiid isn’t going anywhere, unless the Philly doctors know something. Tyrese Maxey isn’t going anywhere either. I could see PG being of interest for the Lakers, as he’s still one of the better two-way players in the game. Health is a concern, though, and he’s 35 years old. In addition, he’s owed $51.6 and $54.1 million over the next two years. The Lakers have been signing players to two-year deals to keep the budget ledger clean in 2027, so it could fit the timeline.
Phoenix Suns: No.
Portland Trail Blazers: Portland is building something and would probably love to have James mentor the younger players, but James ain’t down with that. Portland is +40000 to win the Western Conference. Only the Utah Jazz has higher odds at +60000.
Sacramento Kings: Sacramento has talent on the roster, but DK Sportsbook has them at +25000 to win the Western Conference.
San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs are an up-and-coming team, but they are still a few stories away from reaching the top of the NBA Playoff Pagoda to fight the final boss.
Toronto Raptors: No way James is hanging out with Drake.
Utah Jazz: Moving on.
Washington Wizards: Poof, and he’s gone.
