Lakers predicted to cut ties with frustrated 40-year-old forward via trade
Could the Los Angeles Lakers make a big-time trade involving their frustrated (with the direction of the Luka Doncic-centered franchise) 40-year-old superstar forward during the 2025-26 season?
At this point, everything is on the table for an organization that surprisingly sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Doncic last season.
If things go south early, Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale believes the 21-time All-Star could find himself on a new team.
“Everything seems hunky-dory on the surface entering the season,” Favale wrote Wednesday. “And yet, president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka was nothing if not noncommittal about LeBron’s future during his pre-training-camp media availability.”
“Everyone in the Milky Way Galaxy agrees the Lakers are now on the Luka Dončić Timeline plan. It’s hard to argue with that logic when he’s nearly 15 years LeBron’s junior.”
“James himself may not have an issue with his displacement from the center of L.A.’s universe—so long as the team is a contender.”
“If the Lakers are anything less, he is on an expiring contract with a no-trade clause and has the kind of track record that suggests he’d attempt to extricate himself to save face ahead of 2026 free agency.”
The pressure is on for James and the Lakers in 2025-26. Toward the end of last year, the Lakers had a valid excuse for failing to reach the Western Conference Semifinals.
The franchise was undermanned at the center position following their midseason blockbuster trade, forcing them to find a way to win without a viable low-post presence.
Entering the new season, however, the Lakers can depend on Deandre Ayton to match up well with opposing centers and shine during his first campaign in Los Angeles.
Additionally, the Lakers added a high-level sharpshooter (Jake LaRavia) and an accomplished defensive enforcer (Marcus Smart) to support James and Doncic, setting them up nicely for a lengthy playoff run.
That said, James isn’t playing around when it comes to winning another title, and if the Lakers aren’t on that trajectory during the first portion of the year, a massive trade could be imminent.
