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'Possible' NBA blockbuster trade talk that won't go away

It was the news that stunned the NBA last year and it's emerged once again roughly a quarter of the way through the 2024-2025 season.

Fans were left astounded by a report last year that stated the Golden State Warriors reached out to the Lakers about a potential LeBron James trade.

While the approach was rejected by James, the legendary player has again been brought up as a possible answer for the Warriors, who have started the new season well enough for commentators to predict a possible finals run.

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With the Lakers struggling on the end of the spectrum, NBA insiders have spoken about the prospect of the trade being a realistic option, with the Paris Olympics providing a glimpse of how the two could co-exist and succeed on the court together.

"I'm very interested in all of this," ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst said.

"I'd be lying if I said that there hasn't been some conversations in the league with LeBron at some point this year, like revisit that. Because you remember at the trade deadline last year, the Warriors called.

"It's possible if LeBron wanted it."

James played in the Lakers' first 23 games of the season, averaging 23.0 points with 9.1 assists and 8.0 rebounds.

Los Angeles got off to a 10-4 start, but had lost seven of nine games and three in a row before their 134-132 in overtime at Atlanta on Saturday. They are now 13-11.

James, who sat out this week's match against the Trail Blazers, had his seventh triple-double of the season in the Atlanta loss, finishing with 39 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. It was the 119th triple-double of his career.

His return to form followed talk of a worrying form slump that saw James miss 19 straight three-pointers.

Lebron James and Stephen Curry formed successful partnership in Paris. Getty

Yet he managed to turn the corner against the Hawks and has again been on the trade radar.

However, it would take an awful lot for James to join Curry, under new rules in the NBA.

"Any trade the Warriors make is gonna be complicated," Windhorst added. "Any trade they make, they aren't allowed to take on more money. The Lakers aren't allowed to take on any money because they're in the first apron."

James can become a free agent next off-season if he opts out of his $52 million deal.

"Also, LeBron has a no-trade clause. Twice in the last 10 months, LeBron has had the opportunity to leave the Lakers.

"Once at the trade deadline last year when the Warriors called. 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."

James, in his record-tying 22nd NBA season, has averaged 27.1 points, 9.1 rebounds and 8.0 assists in 1,515 regular-season games. He has averaged 28.4 points, 9.0 rebounds and 7.2 assists in 287 career playoff games, while reaching the postseason 17 times.

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