The NBA trade deadline arrives Thursday, and ahead of that, teams could see significant changes to their rosters as star players depart for new locations.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been part of ongoing speculation, particularly regarding NBA superstar LeBron James and the team’s desire to compete for championships. It’s no secret that LeBron, 41, is nearing the end of his legendary basketball career, with rumors about retirement always in the mix.
On Tuesday evening, his team participated in the latest leg of a lengthy road trip because the annual Grammy Awards ceremony was in Los Angeles. LeBron and company came away with a 125-109 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.
"At the end of the day, we're all professionals. We got a job to do, no matter what's going on, no matter what the outside noise is talking about. We come together, we prepare for each and every game. We go out and try to help each other, and that's what we've been doing," James told reporters postgame.
"We really like playing together. We really like being around one another, so it's a pretty close group," he also said.
LeBron recently achieved his 22nd consecutive All-Star Game selection, adding to his record number in what's been an impressive career. However, the deadline arrives on Thursday, and some suggest it might be time for the Lakers to trade James while they can to improve their roster.
The NBA superstar has never been traded in his career, as he made the moves he preferred, whether it was joining the Miami Heat, returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers, or signing with the Lakers. A trade would be a career-first, and potentially separate him from his son, Bronny James, who received some playing time in the team's blowout Tuesday night.
In 2204, James re-signed with the Lakers, and his $104 million contract included a no-trade clause with the team, meaning he would need to approve of any trade he might be involved in.
That said, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported on Tuesday via league sources that the expectation is James will remain with the Lakers through the end of this season.
Whether or not that means he’ll see some of his Lakers teammates traded is another question, though.
Asked about whether he noticed any “sustainable” aspects of this team during their recent road trip, James indicated, “We want to get healthy, and tonight was pretty much the first time we had everybody in the lineup.”
That included Austin Reaves, who returned from a strained calf injury after missing 19 games. Reaves is a massive component of the Lakers’ success, along with Luka Doncic and James.
It’s unclear how the team will look once Thursday’s NBA trade deadline arrives. However, it seems clear that LeBron will embrace whatever comes, as his major retirement decision also looms.
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