The Los Angeles Lakers have gotten off to a slow start to the 2021-22 NBA season—posting just a 16-16 record through 32 games. For a team with championship aspirations, that’s just not going to cut it. Will the team end up making a change at the NBA trade deadline?
Before getting too into the Lakers’ options at the NBA trade deadline, it’s important to address a key rumors that’s been circulating around. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Los Angeles has been ‘very active’ in talks, the thought that LeBron James wants to play elsewhere isn’t true.
“I heard directly from Rich Paul that LeBron James isn’t leaving the Lakers.. this team just doesn’t look it has the young legs that they need to have & they have been very active in the trade market”
The Lakers are a team that is operating on a tight schedule. LeBron James isn’t getting any younger and injury concerns will only grow as he continues to age. However, it’s just not feasible for arguably the greatest player of all-time to push for a trade. What exactly would a trade even look like in terms of value? How could a team still have a competent supporting cast afterward?
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: LeBron James Unsure What Los Angeles Lakers Can Be Yet
Perhaps one of the more intriguing scenarios to think about is James potentially going to play for wherever his son, Bronny, ends up landing in the NBA after LeBron’s contract ends after the 2022-23 season.
There was a real push from James for the Lakers to land Russell Westbrook in the offseason and did so to acquire Anthony Davis as well. Essentially, he has the star trio that he wants.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: LeBron James Unsure What Los Angeles Lakers Can Be Yet
LeBron James isn’t quite as capable of carrying a team to the degree that he has done throughout the earlier stages of his NBA career. He knows better than most about the importance of staying patient during the early portion of a season after adding a star player into the mix.
