For any Lebron James detractors hoping the Los Angeles Lakers shockingly move the future Hall-of-Famer before the NBA trade deadline on Thursday, you may not want to get your hopes up.
Things have been getting interesting recently at Crypto.com Arena and it’s not because the Lakers have caught fire. After another sluggish start to the season, there are many around the organization feeling the pressure from the Lakers’ underwhelming 27-25 record. It has led to speculation about trades, head coach Darvin Ham being on the hot seat, and some classic Lebron James passive-aggressive tactics.
- Lebron James stats (2023-24): 24.9 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 7.6 APG, 1.3 SPG, 39% 3PT
The league legend recently made a pair of subtle public statements that many have taken as his push to force the front office to make a big trade before 3 PM ET Thursday. However, all indications are that LA won’t be bullied and will likely stand pat. This has some wondering if the organization might trade him instead this season since he can dangle his player option this summer over the team.
Well, while Lakers brass may have pondered the idea, they reportedly have no intention whatsoever of doing it.
Lakers source ‘scoffed at the idea’ of trading Lebron James
Late last week, Lebron James’ long-time agent Rich Paul made it clear in an interview with ESPN’s Brian Windhorst that he and his client have no plans to ask the Lakers for a trade this season. However, while they may not, would the organization take that bold step?
“A high-ranking Lakers source, meanwhile, scoffed at the idea that the Lakers would even consider trading James,” The Athletic’s Sam Amick wrote on Tuesday. “But so long as the goal remains for this partnership to continue, it certainly behooves the Lakers to take James’ voice into account.”
If James and the team have no interest in ending their relationship, it sure seems highly unlikely to happen anytime soon — unless the 20-time All-Star decides not to exercise his option for next season.
Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray seems to be the team’s top target. But different reports suggest LA doesn’t have what the Hawks are looking for in a deal. Furthermore, Amick revealed “second-year Hawks coach Quin Snyder is known to be advocating for the Hawks to hold onto Murray. That sort of prominent voice is certainly enough to split the room, so to speak, when a particular trade is being analyzed.”
It is looking more and more unlikely the Lakers keep Lebron James happy with a blockbuster deal on Thursday.