LeBron James
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Lakers' LeBron James during a game against the Chicago Bulls in March 2025
As the NBA trade deadline approaches, the Los Angeles Lakers are confronting a dilemma that extends beyond roster upgrades or asset management.
Every decision in front of them is being pulled in two different directions, and the margin for error is narrowing.
With limited draft capital and few obvious trade chips, the prevailing expectation for much of the season was that the Lakers would take a cautious approach at the deadline, prioritising flexibility over urgency.
Now, there’s growing belief that general manager Rob Pelinka is actively searching for ways to upgrade the roster, even if the path forward remains complicated.
While the Lakers are exploring the market for a needle-moving two-way wing and a rim protector, the most pressing issue may not be what they add externally.
The real complication could sit internally, centred on the competing timelines of their two franchise pillars.
LeBron James and the Pressure to Act Now
According to a report from ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst, the Lakers are attempting to operate on two timelines at once.
“They want to maximize the end of 41-year-old LeBron James‘ career, but swapping out expiring contracts for short-term help could hinder their ability to reshape their roster around Luka Doncic,” the report stated.
There’s clear pressure to maximise what could be the final season or final stretch of James’ career in Los Angeles. That urgency could be shaping how the front office is approaching the deadline, even as it attempts to avoid sacrificing long-term flexibility.
As a result, Pelinka is expected to prioritise affordable upgrades rather than premium acquisitions. The emphasis is on value driven moves rather than panic buying, a reflection of both financial limitations and broader planning.
“They’re going to be looking for bargain deals and they might be able to find one if they’re willing to take on long-term money,” it was reported that one Western Conference general manager said. “But they probably need to make sure that player is a good fit with Luka to justify it.”
That final point highlights the Lakers’ dilemma. Any move designed to help James now must also make sense beyond this season.
Luka Doncic and the Cost of Flexibility
The Lakers long-term responsibility is to build around Doncic, and that reality looms over every trade discussion. Preserving flexibility for the post-LeBron era remains a priority, but doing so risks limiting competitiveness in the present.
Since turning 41, James is averaging 27.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 7.6 assists while shooting 52.7% from the field. However, missing the start of the season due to injury, uneven production upon his return, and uncertainty around his availability on back-to-backs have made the end feel closer.
Meanwhile, Doncic is averaging a league-high 33.6 points per game while playing the fourth-highest minutes load in the NBA at 36.4 per night.
With ongoing concerns about his own health, and the Lakers sitting near the bottom of the league in bench production and defensive metrics, the need for reinforcements is growing.
Several wings have been linked to Los Angeles, including Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, Keon Ellis, and Jonathan Kuminga, though whether those players are attainable with the Lakers current asset pool remains uncertain.
The Lakers primary expiring contracts of Rui Hachimura ($18.2 million), Gabe Vincent ($11.5 million), and Maxi Kleber ($11 million) are not believed to be generating strong interest around the league.
As Dan Woike of The Athletic reported, second-year guard Dalton Knecht has also failed to generate meaningful trade value to this point.
According to Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo! Sports, the Lakers have looked into ways to turn their 2032 first round pick into multiple selections. At present, they can trade only one first rounder, either 2031 or 2032, a limitation also noted by Bontemps and Windhorst.
Flipping the 2032 pick for earlier selections could expand the Lakers pool of movable assets and unlock additional trade constructions. Still, patience remains a viable option.
If the Lakers wait until July, Bontemps and Windhorst noted they could have three tradable first round picks along with significant cap space.
“If James moves on or retires after the season, the Lakers could re-sign Austin Reaves and still have $50 million in cap space,” the report added.
Acting now risks complicating the future around Doncic. While waiting protects long-term flexibility but may waste what remains of James’ window, a tension shaping the Lakers’ trade deadline reality.