The idea of LeBron being traded to the Warriors has once again reared it’s head.
Shams Charania recently appeared on NBA Today to discuss the Warriors’ pursuit of a big trade, which prompted Michael Wilbon and Kendrick Perkins to suggest James as their target.
“…You have [Anthony Davis] and LeBron playing 90 percent of the games and they are the seventh and eighth seed at best in the West. Is LeBron going to ride out another season like that? Why would he? Why does he need to?,” Wilbon said.
While Perkins said, “…They’re looking for a playmaker, right? That’s LeBron James. You need the size, because the wing position is the most important position in the NBA. That’s LeBron James.”
Longtime ESPN insider, Brian Windhorst shed light on the situation.
“I’m very interested in all this,” Windhorst said. “I would be lying if I said that there isn’t been some conversations in the league (about), ‘Would LeBron at some point this year revisit that?’ Because you remember last year at the trade deadline, the Warriors called.”
Because of the NBA’s new CBA, trades are no easy feat for the Warriors and Lakers, which Windhorst explained.
“But I just wanna say a couple things,” Windhorst said. “First off, any trade that the Warriors make is gonna be complicated. They have only $500,000 that they’re allowed to spend more in this season. It’s first, second apron stuff — I know it’s boring. Any trade that they make, they really can’t take on more money. Guess what? The Lakers are not allowed to take on any money ’cause they’re in the first apron.
“So, it’s possible if LeBron wanted it. Also, LeBron has a no-trade clause. Also also, the Lakers don’t own their first-round pick. It goes unprotected to the Atlanta Hawks,” he continued.
“… So, I would just say that twice in the last 10 months, LeBron has had an opportunity to leave the Lakers. One, at the trade deadline last year when the Warriors called. The Lakers went to LeBron and said, ‘Do you seriously wanna get traded?’ He said, ‘No.’ Last summer he became a free agent. He re-signed with the Lakers.
“… LeBron has repeatedly made it clear he wants to be a Laker. And if that’s the case, he’s got a no-trade clause. There’s nothin’ really to talk about.”
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