Would you trade/buyout LeBron?

[PistolPeteJR]

Zero critical thinking done by OP. Literally zero.

Just "me have question" and "post question".

I agree, but I’m not sure it’s “question and post” as much as I think it’s, “I’m bored, let’s stir the pot”.

This topic has been beat to death the past month.

He won’t waive his no-trade clause unless it’s to a clear contender.
He won’t forfeit his money.
Therefore, no way to make salaries match without gutting depth or key pieces on the team that’d hypothetically trade for him. The exception is NY and trading KAT.
It doesn’t make sense for him to go anywhere if he wants to contend given he has a top-5 player on the team.

[PistolPeteJR]

YES. But teams overrate loyalty too much. Still waiting for that GM that will be smart enough to trade the old GOATs.

NO TRADE CLAUSE.

[durden_tyler]

YES. But teams overrate loyalty too much. Still waiting for that GM that will be smart enough to trade the old GOATs.

NO TRADE CLAUSE.

There are ways around it, treat him like trash and he'll bolt-- he's known to do that anyway.

(Say, declare publicly that Jordan is better than LeBron anyway. LOL)

[JellosJigglin]

YES. But teams overrate loyalty too much. Still waiting for that GM that will be smart enough to trade the old GOATs.

NO TRADE CLAUSE.

There are ways around it, treat him like trash and he'll bolt-- he's known to do that anyway.

(Say, declare publicly that Kobe is better than LeBron anyway. LOL)

[balrog27]

I dunno, I've only read the official statemetns made by the lakers and lebron/klutch. I feel like most of these articles just trynna get views and stirring up things that's not there.

Doesn't make much sense for lebron to move or for lakers to want to move him. Guy still 2nd team all nba, 50 mil for that is a bargain. Luka's not winning with or without lebron next year....

[MrGoat]

There's not much of a reason not to just keep him around this year at this point. A buyout would be expensive and almost pointless because they're far enough over the cap it wouldn't even open up all that much space if any. A stretch waive hurts your cap beyond this season. Getting a good trade for him is virtually impossible because of the size of his expiring salary and his no trade clause that he could invoke if they tried to send him to any team he doesn't want to go to. Might as well just ride it out and see if Ayton is rejuvenated being added to the Lakers.

[SlimShady83]

YES. But teams overrate loyalty too much. Still waiting for that GM that will be smart enough to trade the old GOATs.

NO TRADE CLAUSE.

There are ways around it, treat him like trash and he'll bolt-- he's known to do that anyway.

(Say, declare publicly that Jordan is better than LeBron anyway. LOL)

Yes there are ways around it, the most simple way that I said above

Trade his son Bronny get it done Lakers...

But do this after signing Luka

[Lalouie]

trade

he's cost enough so get something back

[Hornet Mania]

If Lebron wanted to leave he shouldn't have picked up the option with a massive salary and a NTC. I'd either make him play it out or bench him if he refused to play (he won't, he cares about both his legacy and career stats). I can't imagine a trade is even possible if the Lakers value clean cap in 2026.

I'm still 95% sure this drama is fake though. Lebron would have to be next-level ridiculous to believe he has leverage in this situation and try to exercise it. He's not incapable of that, but I'd like to think he'd be wise enough to just play next year and then go to the Cavs or whatever if that's his desire.

[PistolPeteJR]

YES. But teams overrate loyalty too much. Still waiting for that GM that will be smart enough to trade the old GOATs.

NO TRADE CLAUSE.

There are ways around it, treat him like trash and he'll bolt-- he's known to do that anyway.

(Say, declare publicly that Jordan is better than LeBron anyway. LOL)

We've got 22 years of history showing he's never ever done what you're suggesting. He's played out every single contract while giving his all.

We get it, you don't like him. Doesn't make what you're suggesting objective.

[JM00n69]

Me personally I would wait until the first 3 game losing streak and blame it on him and then wave him. Create some great start of season drama for ESPN and bring some clicks for the league. WIN/WIN

[CobraCommander]

the lakers are not going to get value for lebron - and lebron is as good as beal so he has a no trade clause...so Lebron gets to pick who they trade him to.

but honestly - LeBron is still the best guy on the court sometimes when he is playing WITH Luka! the lakers need to build around these guys for this year and make a run at it...with Luka and Lebron they have a chance

[CobraCommander]

If Lebron wanted to leave he shouldn't have picked up the option with a massive salary and a NTC. I'd either make him play it out or bench him if he refused to play (he won't, he cares about both his legacy and career stats). I can't imagine a trade is even possible if the Lakers value clean cap in 2026.

I'm still 95% sure this drama is fake though. Lebron would have to be next-level ridiculous to believe he has leverage in this situation and try to exercise it. He's not incapable of that, but I'd like to think he'd be wise enough to just play next year and then go to the Cavs or whatever if that's his desire.

lebron is going to do a farewell tour on the team that wants to pay him for that - I assume it will be Cleveland and they will get him in free agency and if the world is lucky, Cleveland has a chance to win a ring in lebrons last game... game 7 with LeBron playing for Cleveland against LA in CLEVELAND for all the marbles...if he does that and wins...he will almost surpass MJ

[LakersLegacy]

His other son is scheduled to be drafted by the Lakers either on 6-25 (first round) or 6-26 (second round) of 2026
His farewell tour with 3 members of the same family on the LAKERS

[EmpireFalls]

Guy, buying out LeBron would be the singular stupidest move in NBA history. His salary would be stretched over 3 years so now you’re $17m in the hole until 2028.

Oh and you can only replace him with a vet min player. Good luck finding a vet min player off the street as good as him…

There would be quite literally zero reason to buy him out. Even if he caused a fuss (he won’t, he wants to play basketball too much) you just send him home and let him sit out the season and part ways in the summer.