If LeBron changes kingdoms, it will be by royal decree…
Los Angeles Lakers v Boston Celtics | Elsa/GettyImages
LeBron James’ only clear exit from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Golden State Warriors is if he demands a trade, and specifically names them as the place he wants to go. Without that, the Lakers are most likely not going to be interested in moving on from him.
Jovan Buha made a great point on his podcast, Buha’s Block: “If I’m the Lakers, unless LeBron is demanding out and demanding out specifically to Golden State, I am not entertaining that.”LeBron and Stephen Curry are two of the most transformative players in NBA history. A potential pairing of these legends would absolutely shake the league to its core.
Just imagine a combination of LeBron’s unmatched versatility and leadership with Curry’s revolutionary shooting. This would be a basketball fan’s dream scenario.
As things stand right now, LeBron holds a no-trade clause. If he is going to leave Los Angeles after his seven-year stint in the purple and gold, he will want full control over where he lands. The Warriors, led by Curry, are a very realistic destination that fits LeBron’s vision for a final run.
Even if James did demand a deal, there would still be a big roadblock, which is Golden State’s trade assets. The Warriors’ most intriguing chip is Jonathan Kuminga.
Kuminga is a young, athletic forward who has shown flashes of star upside. However, his fit next to Luka Doncic in Los Angeles would be questionable at best.
Kuminga wants touches and the spotlight on him. On top of that, he does not offer the shooting or defensive consistency the Lakers would want in return for a player of LeBron’s stature.
The Lakers’ biggest need right now is guys that knock down triples. Kuminga barely shot over 30 percent last year, a number that simply will not cut it.
Plus, there is the matter of legacy. Of course, when you speak about LeBron, legacy must be involved. LeBron has never been traded in his career, a fact he is proud of. He has been intentional about how he controls his narrative, and demanding a trade would shift the tone of his story.
With that being said, that does not mean it is completely off the table, but it is not something he will do lightly. The more likely scenario is that he plays out the final year of his deal with the Lakers, then decides his next move in free agency.
Maybe it will be Golden State. Maybe it will be retirement. Maybe it will be somewhere else entirely.
For now, though, the LeBron-to-Warriors conversation is just more rumors unless the King speaks first and makes his intentions crystal clear. Until he does, the dream of watching LeBron and Steph wear the same jersey remains just that: a dream.