Now that LeBron James' retirement tease [is out of the way](https://lakeshowlife.com/latest-lebron-james-stunt-proves-he-is-exactly-who-everyone-thought-he-is), the attention has shifted back to what the 40-year-old superstar wants to do beyond this season, and whether it involves the Los Angeles Lakers. If he wants to be traded midseason (and there's no way of knowing that yet), what will his options look like?
LeBron isn't going to a rebuilding team. If he had his choice, it feels like the Cavaliers (duh) and the Knicks (another duh) would be at the top of his list. Yet another return to Cleveland would be a feel-good story, and ending his career as a Knick playing at Madison Square Garden would be the cherry on top. What could be better than either one of those scenarios?
The issue is that it will be hard to make either happen, at least with a trade. As Bill Simmons noted on his podcast, New York would have to give up a player like OG Anunoby for LeBron. He can still play at a high level, but there's no way the Knicks would do that for LeBron at this stage in his career.
Simmons wondered whether Cleveland would throw De'Andre Hunter and Jarrett Allen in a package for LeBron (with another contract). That wouldn't happen, either. Simmons said that LeBron is "stuck with the Lakers" and that he'll "eventually" come to terms with being on a team [centered around Luka Dončić](https://lakeshowlife.com/lebron-james-quietly-making-shift-maximize-fit-luka-doncic). That's assuming he hasn't already done so.
A Lakers trade wouldn't work in LeBron's favor
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Will LeBron retire with the Lakers? The organization would like that. He could re-sign with Los Angeles next summer, but on a significantly cheaper deal than the one he's on now. If he decided to leave the Lakers next summer, the Cavaliers or Knicks wouldn't be interested unless he was willing to take a pay cut, too.
If all works out well, LeBron will spend the rest of his career in Southern California, however long that may be. It's where his family has put down roots. Bronny is with the Lakers, and LeBron's youngest son, Bryce, is at the University of Arizona, a short flight from Los Angeles.
The Lakers prioritized financial flexibility this summer around Luka, but the new face of the franchise doesn't want to wait to go after a championship. LeBron wants to win, so although Los Angeles no longer operates around his timeline, he could still win a final title with the Lakers, but alongside Luka this time.
As Simmons noted, it seems like it'd be in LeBron's best interest to stay in Los Angeles until he decides to _really_ retire.