LeBron James was widely expected to spend the remainder of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers with the biggest questions being for how long and whether they could become a title contender again with him on the team. Now that the Lakers unexpectedly traded for Luka Doncic and are building around him, the future of James with the franchise is uncertain and could now even possibly end this offseason.
James holds a no-trade clause, which gives him a significant level of control over the situation should the parties decide to explore a trade.
"I would say that's uncertain," said Brian Windhorst on ESPN Cleveland when asked if James may finish his career with the Lakers. "One thing I feel pretty good about today, although things can pivot, is LeBron's time with the Lakers is beginning to come to an end. They are beginning to move apart. You can actually argue that started when they traded for Luka. I know everybody thought LeBron was in on that. I know I said at the time I didn't believe that—LeBron was not in on it. I don't know what else to tell you. He was not in on it. He wasn't against it. I think he was shocked they traded Anthony Davis. But LeBron was not in part of that decision process. That was a move away from LeBron as the center of the team."
Windhorst said the Lakers had previously tried to reorient their team around Davis as they are now doing with Doncic.
"The beginning of LeBron's departure from the Lakers has begun," said Windhorst. "That departure could be into retirement. That departure could be another. But another way is on the table. I don't know how it's going to play out. I'm not going to pretend how it's going to play out.
"I have talked to the parties involved. They are not clearly stating their intentions. I am listening very closely. I'm asking questions. They are not clearly stating their intentions. So there's no way I can give you a clear answer talking to the direct sources.
"I would have said four days ago when LeBron opted into his contract, I would have said there was no chance of him getting traded. At the time, I just didn't think so. After having conversations over the last three or four days, I no longer saying there is no chance. I am not saying it's likely, but I cannot responsibly say there's no chance anymore."
