NBA Scout: LeBron James Not Going Anywhere, Lakers Wouldn’t Trade Him Even If He Demanded It

One rival NBA scout can’t take it anymore.

“Please stop this silliness. There is zero percent chance the Los Angeles Lakers trade LeBron James, even if he demanded it,” the scout told Hoops Wire. “Maybe even less than zero. Not happening. Never will.”

James just exercised the $52.6 million player option on his contract. But that’s only one reason the Lakers would never trade him, the scout insisted. This, of course, was in response to the constant churning of trade rumors circulating on social media (and even on this very website).

“LeBron makes too much money for that organization, even if he’s not playing well or sidelined with an injury,” he said. “This is a business first, never forget that. The Lakers would never make up the revenue he provides. Not even in five years.”

But what if James did demand it? What if he refused to report to the team?

“That’s not going to happen, but even if he did, the Lakers would say, ‘Too bad,'” the scout told Hoops Wire. “First of all, he picked up his option as soon as he could. If he truly wanted out — and again, he doesn’t — he could’ve declined it and entered free agency.

“But he picked it up. So even if he demanded a trade, the Lakers would say no. If he said that he wouldn’t report, well, if you’re the Lakers, it’s still, ‘Whatever. It’s your legacy.’ He wouldn’t be hurting the Lakers in that scenario — only himself.”

LeBron could also threaten to leave at the end of the season if the Lakers refused to trade him. (Again, this is all hypothetical and there is no sense of this actually happening.)

“Even then, the Lakers would say, ‘So what,'” the scout said. “LeBron will be 41 years old. If he wanted to walk at the end of the season, the Lakers would just shrug and move along and get the cap space. This isn’t 27-year-old LeBron. You don’t have leverage when you’re 41.”

Now, don’t misunderstand. The scout wasn’t criticizing James. He’s merely trying to offer some perspective.

“I’m convinced social media is run by 15-year-olds who turn this garbage into gospel,” the scout said. “LeBron isn’t going to leave his family in L.A., he’s definitely not going back to Cleveland. Been there, done that. He’s not going to Dallas or anyplace else, either.

“He has the best setup right now where he is. He knows it. The Lakers know it. He’s not going anywhere, definitely not now and I’d venture to say never. To suggest otherwise is just foolishness and (for) clicks.”

The scout wasn’t finished.

“The Lakers just need to sit back, collect the checks, and figure out their future with another year of LeBron on the team,” he said. “He has no choice but to accept it, and by all accounts, he is.

So whatever Rich Paul is saying, whatever people online are saying … just stop it. This isn’t 2014.

“LeBron will play for the Lakers next season and I guarantee that he will be going all out, for the Lakers, with only the Lakers in mind. It’s wildly in his own best interest, and anyone with half a brain understands that.”

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