The expectation is that NBA superstar LeBron James begins the 2025-26 season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
But is that the team he finishes the season with? If he starts the season with the Lakers, could he be moved at the trade deadline?
James has had a usual offseason – for the first time in his career, the team he plays for was not clamoring for his return or making a commitment beyond next season. He’s 40 years old, so in theory that makes sense. But he’s also not your typical 40-year-old hanging onto a career.
He was an All-NBA performer in 2024-25.
These are unusual times in the NBA as teams navigate a restrictive and punitive CBA and plan for a future – a future that sooner or later does not include James. His recent foray onto the golf course suggests retirement could be on his mind more than it ever has before.
But, as his agent and Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul said, James still wants to compete for a title. So his playing days are not over. It’s just for whom he’ll be playing that is atop NBA discussion.
How would a LeBron James trade even work?
A lot will depend on the shape the 2025-26 season takes for the Lakers and any other potential James destinations. If Los Angeles struggles, it could opt to become sellers prior to the February 2026 trade deadline as the Lakers plan to build a future around Luka Dončić. Still, because James has a no-trade clause in his contract, the team would need to accommodate and cater to James’ wishes.
James, though, has been a player who, historically, has fiercely protected his own self interests. And if at some point he deems the Lakers as a failing operation, he could be the one to request a trade.
In that event, because James carries that no-trade clause, the Lakers would then ask James for a short list of preferred destinations where he would waive the no-trade clause. Once the list of preferred destinations – which could theoretically be just a single squad – is established, the Lakers would then enter possible negotiations with those teams. If terms favorable for both sides are agreed upon, then James would be on his way.
There are two very important things to note, however. James is arguably the most calculated player in NBA history. Acutely aware of what a trade would mean for his legacy, James would feasibly make the decision to request a trade only if it improved his chances to win another title and if he could further his legacy and agenda. It’s logical to assume that Bronny James, his son and teammate in Los Angeles, would also be part of any deal.
It’s also important to note that the Lakers are under no obligation to trade James. Though they might want to do right by him, given his star power and stature within the NBA, the priority for Los Angeles is to advance its own interests for the future.
Possible LeBron James trade fits
Dallas Mavericks
This would be an interesting pairing in that James would be joining a pair of high-profile former teammates in Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving (who is expected to miss some time as he recovers from a torn anterior cruciate ligament). It also presents an excellent chance for No. 1 overall selection Cooper Flagg to join one of the game’s all-time greats. The Mavericks would need to get creative with their roster construction to make it work, but – assuming health – adding James would make the Mavs an interesting team in a very crowded Western Conference.
Miami Heat
During an Instagram live video in February 2024, a fan asked James if he missed Miami. James’ wife, Savannah James – who was off-camera – said ‘yes’ and then added ‘I miss the city.’ And although there were reports that James held disagreements with Heat coach Erik Spoelstra during his time with the team, the two have worked closely together with Team USA and any tensions seem to have been put to rest. Some of James’ best seasons came in Miami under Spoelstra, who encouraged James to be a distributor. Now, alongside Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Norman Powell, the Heat would get some much-needed offense with James.
New York Knicks
Of all the options, this one might be the most tangibly different one. The Knicks, however, would satisfy James playing in a massive market. And in New York, James would be reuniting with coach Mike Brown, who coached James in Cleveland from 2005-10. James would also bring leadership and basketball IQ to a team that made its first conference championship in 25 seasons. In a wide open East, James could be the piece that puts the Knicks over the top.
Los Angeles Clippers
For this one, the James family wouldn’t be moving far at all. They have built their life in Los Angeles, and playing games at the Intuit Dome would offer some comfort and familiarity. On the court, there would also be a great deal of familiarity; Clippers coach Tyronn Lue was the Cavaliers coach when James and Cleveland won the 2016 NBA Finals. And, when paired with James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers would have three stars – albeit in the twilight of their careers – who would make L.A.’s offense difficult to stop, particularly in the clutch.
Golden State Warriors
LeBron and Steph. Steph and LeBron. We got a taste of that pairing at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and it would be entertaining to watch those two try to bring Golden State another title. The Warriors have made their timeline to win another title clear with Curry’s contract, which runs through 2026-27. LeBron James and Bronny James for Jimmy Butler?
Cleveland Cavaliers
Finishing his career where he started it and where he led the Cavaliers to their only NBA championship is a storybook ending. Maybe not the same Hollywood tale as wrapping up his career in Los Angeles, but it’s still a riveting cinematic arc. This, though, is also complicated given Cleveland’s trajectory with the current roster and who it would have to give up to make this trade work for a season or two with James. Do the Cavs want this? Does James?
Los Angeles Lakers
By now, you understand the difficulties of trading James, and if the Lakers still want to compete for a championship in the spring of 2026, having James is better than not having James. But that might not be their objective either. Maybe they’d like to accelerate their timeline in a future without James. Yet, the Lakers are not in control of that because of James’ no-trade clause. The scenario that makes the most sense for both sides is to play out the season with James and Dončić and see what happens, and re-evaluate where each wants to be next summer.
Possible LeBron James trades
Fire up the trade machine!
Using the model on Spotrac.com, here are a couple of potential frameworks for trades that would work, at least on financial terms. But the point remains that trading James and his salary would be complicated and would take complex salary cap machinations – with the inclusion of a third or fourth team possible.
LeBron James to the Clippers
Lakers acquire
- A 2026 second-round pick
- Derrick Jones Jr.
- Bogdan Bogdanovic
- Ivica Zubac
- Noah Clowney
Clippers acquire
- LeBron James
- Bronny James
- Dariq Whitehead
Nets acquire
- A 2027 first-round selection from the Clippers
- Shake Milton
- Kris Dunn
LeBron James to the Warriors
Lakers acquire
- Jimmy Butler
Warriors acquire
- LeBron James
- Bronny James
LeBron James to the Heat
Lakers acquire
- A 2027 first-round pick
- A 2029 first-round pick swap
- Andrew Wiggins
- Nikola Jović
- Terry Rozier
Heat acquire
- LeBron James
- Bronny James
- Dalton Knecht