LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during warm up prior to the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game One of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 19, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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Tyler Erzberger

By Tyler Erzberger

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The Los Angeles Lakers are at a crossroads as a franchise, and the upcoming NBA trade deadline might be the time they choose the path they want to take into the future.

LeBron James has been the face of the franchise for almost a decade now for one of the largest brands in all of sports, but it appears as if that relationship is coming to an end.

After a long-form ESPN piece detailed the former ownership group's growing dislike of James and the public push to make Luka Doncic the new franchise centerpiece, it's become abundantly clear that this is almost assuredly the last season James will play for the Lakers.

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But with the trade deadline only a little over a week away, could they do the unthinkable and move one of the greatest players in NBA history?

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 22: LeBron James #23 and Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers on defense during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena on October 22, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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First, they'd need James to waive his no-trade clause baked into his contract. If James were to leave Los Angeles in the middle of the season and his home, he'd only do it if he had a legitimate chance at a ring. That alone would burn over two-thirds of the league, possibly more, depending on what James considers a legitimate contender.

Secondly, and possibly even the biggest hurdle, is finding a contender that can trade $52 million worth of contracts over to the Lakers to match salaries with the legend. Not only that, but L.A., which wants flexibility to pair Doncic with a superstar in the next year or two, wouldn't want to take on anything that could prohibit that.

With both being gigantic mountains standing in the Lakers' (and possibly James') way of getting moved, it seems unlikely that he will be traded regardless of how either side feels about one another at the moment.

Instead, we are looking at a slow, painful divorce between the two sides unless the team can go on a magical postseason run to win a championship. If not, James will either retire or look elsewhere to have his last dance, while the Lakers close the chapter on the old era and begin building entirely around their Slovenian crown jewel.

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