Will LeBron James finish his career with the Los Angeles Lakers?
Perhaps the 2024-2025 NBA season will be the one where years and years of trade deadline day rumors for LeBron James being traded come true. While it certainly doesn't seem likely that the future first-ballot Basketball Hall of Famer will be moved in-season, James pushing 40-years of age, having only one-year remaining on his deal, and the Lakers' season on a downward trajectory, this season would be the only time an in-season trade of this magnitude would be even possible.
In the off-event James was moved, this season, it appears as if a familiar face will be on the move with him.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 02: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter at Target Center on December 02, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Lakers 109-80. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
According to [ClutchPoints' Lakers insider, Anthony F. Irwin](https://x.com/AnthonyIrwinLA), any team that were to potentially inquire about a trade for James, they would likely have to be OK with also taking his son, Bronny in the deal.
"Sources close to the Lakers did say that, if James asked the Lakers to trade him, they would work with him to find a deal that lands him where he'd rather be, but also brings back the kind of return that would jumpstart a rebuild. If James was traded, it's also believed Bronny James would have to be part of the deal."
The soon-to-be 40-year-old James is currently averaging 23.0 points per game to go along with 8.8 rebounds and 9.1 assists per contest in his 21st season in the NBA.
While James continues to set the pace in Los Angeles, the rest of the Lakers squad (barring Anthony Davis, who's averaging 27.5 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game) have yet to hold up their end of the bargain as the club currently boasts a 13-11 record, sitting eighth in the western conference, despite beginning the season 10-4.
Meanwhile, Bronny, has only made sporadic appearances in a handful of NBA games during his rookie season, but has played decent for the Lakers' G-League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. The 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft averages 8.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, thus far during his G-League run.
James and the Lakers look to right the ship on Thursday night when they travel to Minnesota for a showdown with the Timberwolves (8:00 pm EDT/5:00 pm PDT).