LeBron James Rumors: Lakers Rival Considered Midseason Trade

LeBron James has proven too superior to even name-drop in trade talks.

But the Golden State Warriors, among others, considered a midseason trade proposal for the 21-time NBA All-Star as teams around the league unpacked the Luka Doncic blockbuster, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst reported Friday.

The not-so-small nugget from the ESPN insiders was included in an extensive story which hints James might not remain with the Los Angeles Lakers after the 2025-26 campaign. It does not appear LA will offer an extension to James, who is set to enter his final season under contract, as the Lakers intend to give the keys to Doncic.

ESPN wrote about a “series of transgressions” pertaining to the franchise’s treatment of James. The first such transgression, however, was the out-of-nowhere Doncic deal.

“The gigantic trade that had landed Doncic in Los Angeles had formed sudden new realities, one of which was James eventually becoming an expiring contract for the first time in his 23-year career,” ESPN wrote. “It was the strongest sign yet that the end of his Lakers tenure was near.

“A handful of teams — including the Golden State Warriors, who tried to trade for James in 2023-24 — considered again whether to make an offer, sources said.”

James concluded the 2024-25 campaign in Los Angeles and the Lakers suffered a first-round exit in the NBA playoffs. The Warriors also were eliminated in the first round.

James getting traded now doesn’t feel like as far-fetched as it once was — when it was impossible to comprehend.