Lakers News: Writer Predicts LeBron James Requests Trade This Offseason
As the 2022-2023 NBA season nears its end, rumors are beginning to swirl about the future of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James. Just last week, Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report released an article that predicted 5 new NBA players that will hit the next trade market. Among the other players on that list was four-time NBA champion LeBron James.
The article predicted he will request a trade this offseason, and cited a number of factors that could lead him to seek a new team.
James could stay silent on his team and his future, and the objective facts would still warrant rampant speculation. The clock on his late prime will be ticking faster, his urgency to win one more title will be greater and the expiration of his trade restriction will dramatically increase his power over the franchise. Even now, James' influence is clear. Los Angeles dealt away one of its two precious first-round picks, a 2027 selection with top-four protection, in the deal that brought back D'Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt.
The article detailed that the All-Star was not able to be dealt with this season because of the two-year, $97 million extension he signed last summer. The Lakers have not a ton of on-court success this season, as they sit in the lower end of the Western Conference with a 27-32 record. James has made it known that he still wants to compete for championships, but the real question is: Can he get the job done in Los Angeles?
LA recently added players including forward Rui Hachimura, shooting guard Malik Beasley, center Mo Bamba, and power forward Jarred Vanderbilt, but the team still needs to find a high level of consistency on the court.
It will take time for this new team to get acclimated, but some analysts believe that James may just up and leave in order to improve his chances of winning another championship. At 38 years old, James is nearing the end of his career. Although he continues to play at a high level, the fact of the matter is that he does not have much time left to pursue his basketball goals.
If James were to request a trade, it would certainly shake the league up with a chain reaction of trades as many teams would jump to try and acquire the all-time leading scorer.
While it is impossible to know what the King is planning to do, the possibility of a James trade will continue to be a topic of discussion in the coming months.
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