ESPN’s Brian Windhorst has previously indicated that multiple NBA teams would express interest in acquiring LeBron James should the Lakers decide to trade him.
However, the uncertainty surrounding how many more seasons the Los Angeles Lakers forward intends to play complicates any trade discussions.
Windhorst explained that while James is no longer a perennial MVP candidate, he remains a high-level performer, evidenced by his All-NBA Third Team selection last season.
This makes him an attractive asset for teams willing to plan for the future.
The Lakers’ management now views James’ contract as a potential trade asset, partly due to the financial and roster flexibility needed to build around Doncic.
Windhorst described the complexity: “Everything in that makes sense. I’m just unlocking the door because I’m not as convinced as before of its impossibility.”
However, any potential trade involving James would require alignment from multiple parties: the Lakers, James himself – who holds a no-trade clause – and interested teams who must weigh his contract size and future playing timeline.
LeBron James Viewed By Lakers As Expiring Contract https://t.co/T2t0wYAaki
— RealGM (@RealGM) July 2, 2025
