NBA Rumors: LeBron James Could Demand Trade If Lakers ‘Whiff’ In Free Agency
LeBron James, Lakers
Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Since the conclusion of the 2018-19 NBA season, there has been a lot of drama surrounding LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.

As James denied a report about his trust in the Lakers being ‘damaged,’ it is fair to wonder how he truly feels about them heading into free agency.

To his credit, James reportedly has already had contact with Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler. However, it appears the second All-Star player the Lakers envision will either re-sign with their respective teams or sign elsewhere.

If the Lakers are unable to land a second All-Star player via free agency or trade, James could demand a trade for the 2019-20 NBA season, according to Bill Plaschke of Los Angeles Times (H/T: Dan Feldman of NBC Sports):

I’m hearing that if they whiff on free agency, and if they whiff on a trade – which I don’t know how likely that is, but if that happens, they’ve got big trouble with LeBron. Why would LeBron – I mean, the LeBron era could be over before it starts here.

Plaschke went into further detail about what this could mean with James:

I heard this for the first time yesterday. Somebody very connected said, “You know what, if they whiff, LeBron’s going to say either, ‘I’m out of here’ or ‘Get me out of here,’ or the Lakers better just might as well just get him out of here.”

Leading up to the 2019 NBA Draft and free agency, there will be plenty of reports. Amid former president of basketball operations Magic Johnson’s resignation, James reportedly ‘wants to be with’ and ‘win with’ the Lakers.

In addition, James and Dwyane Wade’s sons are reportedly expected to play together at Sierra Canyon High School in Chatsworth, CA this season.

While signing a second All-Star currently seems challenging, the Lakers do have enough assets for a potential trade. Along with the young core, Los Angeles somehow moved up seven spots and landed another unexpected asset with a top-four pick with just a 4.9% chance of doing so.

During a time when there is plenty of drama, owner Jeanie Buss and company are attempting to move past it. In the most important offseason in team history, it will be interesting to see if it truly impacts their ability to significantly improve the roster around James for the 2019-20 NBA season.

You May Also Like

Lakers Rumors: L.A. More Interested In Bulls Guards DeMar DeRozan & Alex Caruso Than Zach LaVine

After a 44-point drubbing by the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers, it might be time for the Los Angeles Lakers to recalibrate…

Lakers Rumors: Gabe Vincent ‘Recuperating On Schedule’ & On Track To Return By Early March

The Los Angeles Lakers’ big offseason move was using their non-taxpayer mid-level exception to sign former Miami Heat guard…

NBA Free Agent Rumors: Michael Beasley Signed With Lakers Over Thunder

With the Los Angeles Lakers having approximately $5 million remaining in salary cap space, they reportedly signed…

Lakers Rumors: LeBron James ‘Extremely Happy’ In L.A. Despite Recent Team Struggles

Though much of the attention surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers continues to be on potential deals involving point guard…