The Los Angeles Lakers are in for a busy, busy summer. After the debacle that was the 2021-22 season, a lot of roster changes are in order. Changing the team around LeBron James is a guarantee. Even moving on from James himself has been entertained, though it isn't likely.
According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, team owner Jeanie Buss won't jump at the chance to trade James from the Lakers if he declines a contract extension. His current contract expires after the next season.
If LeBron James ultimately decides against signing an extension with the Lakers in August, sources say Buss wouldn’t see his desire to play out the final season of his contract as a reason to consider trading him. Without an extension, James’ current deal will expire after next season (in which he’s owed $47.1 million).
Seeing a bidding war in a trade for James, even at age 37 and with just one more year on his contract, would be fascinating. Los Angeles still knows the value he brings and wants to build a championship team around him. Running the risk of losing him in free agency is worth it for them, apparently.
The Lakers' pairing of James and Anthony Davis has worked before, so keeping the big fella around, for now, seems like the smart move. Everyone else, though, should be up for grabs. Some players like Russell Westbrook should be moved.
A LeBron James trade would rock the NBA but the Lakers don't seem to have interest in going that route.
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