'Seriously Viewed as a Candidate' – Los Angeles Lakers Star Expected to Gain Attention at the Trade Deadline

Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes thinks that James could catch a ton of attention at the NBA trade deadline if he asks out of the Los Angeles Lakers. The main reason would be if the Lakers aren’t competitive enough to contend for a championship.

“Shoehorning LeBron James into any list is good business because his name drives traffic and interest. But his inclusion here isn’t about clicks. It’s fully warranted because the Los Angeles Lakers are clearly no longer his team, and because he’s playing out the last year of his deal before 2026 free agency,” Hughes wrote.

“James may want to control his destiny via a trade request, and from the Lakers’ perspective, it’d make sense to get something for him if the alternative is losing him for nothing in free agency.”

As the trade deadline draws closer, Hughes added, teams like the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers could continue to pay close attention.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith doesn’t think James is offended by not being the main star for the Los Angeles Lakers

James has consistently been the best player on the teams he has played for throughout the majority of his career. However, his situation with the Los Angeles Lakers has changed. With Luka Doncic, the organization has shifted its focus to building a competitive team around him. It’s something that the 2003 Rookie of the Year has longed for throughout his time in LA.

However, the Lakers chose not to part with their assets to make room for a younger player because of his advanced age.

Now that Doncic is the face of the Lakers, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said that James shouldn’t be offended.

“They got new blood. A cat that’s going to be the face of the franchise for the next decade, where he’s contemplating walking away from the game in the next year or two. Last time I checked, that’s business,” Smith said.

The Lakers are ready to move on from James, and Smith wants the star forward to do the same thing.