The Los Angeles Lakers cannot go a single offseason without finding the franchise in the center of the biggest NBA drama. In an offseason when the blueprint couldn't be more obvious, the team finds itself at the center of trade rumors around LeBron James.
It seems the way the 2024-25 season played out didn't sit well with the aging star. Since the season has ended, trade rumors have again dominated Laker headlines, and James has done nothing to stop this. Despite opting into his player option for this season, the star is still expected to consider a move.
If a trade were to happen, the Lakers have made it clear that they aren't going to make it easy to acquire the legend. Considering the franchise just added Luka and brought in Deandre Ayton, there is reason to feel they are closer than ever to making another championship run. Trading LeBron doesn't fit with this, leading us to why the team is setting impossible stipulations on any potential trade involving the franchise star.
Lakers Unlikely to Trade LeBron James per Latest Report
LeBron James hasn’t had buyout, trade discussions with Lakers, both sides expect that he will be with team for training camp. Reporting with @DanWoikeSports, @TheAthleticNBA https://t.co/cJHrBqAg6s
— Joe Vardon (@joevardon) July 16, 2025
It was reported on Tuesday that the Lakers were only willing to take expiring deals in a trade, limiting the franchise to trading with the Miami Heat and the LA Clippers.
You're not sending James to the Clippers, a team that was a playoff contender and in city rival. Dealing the face of your franchise to a team in the same city that had previously shared your building for years simply doesn't make any level of sense. This is making the leap that LeBron would even view the Clippers as a better situation.
This leaves the Heat as the remaining option and headlines just how unlikely a LeBron trade continues to become. Miami is in the middle of a rebuild and, even in a wide open Eastern Conference, isn't anywhere close to being an actual contender. The magic of the culture and coaching staff can only carry this limited roster so far.
Since then, Joe Vardon and Dan Wokie of The Athletic reported that the organization didn't have any buyout or trade discussions with James. This essentially sends a message to the rest of the league that they have no intention of parting ways with their superstar.
If the perfect trade package emerges over the next few weeks, things could potentially change, but all signs are pointing to LeBron James starting the 2025-26 season in a Lakers uniform.