LeBron James Lakers

Shannon Sharpe and Skip Bayless debate who's to blame for the Lakers' situation after LeBron James' comments about winning.

He might have to move on down the road in order to get what he wants: Which is to play at this level and play meaningful basketball down the stretch and into this postseason." [NBA](https://www.foxsports.com/nba) history this season, and he's likely to break his record of most consecutive All-Star starts, which is 18. He mentioned how he thinks James pressured the Lakers' front office into trading for [Anthony Davis](https://www.foxsports.com/nba/anthony-davis-player). "The point was they paid the freight," Bayless said. ](https://www.foxsports.com/shows/skip-and-shannon-undisputed) "I'm gonna average 27, 28 points a game, eight rebounds and seven assists and guess what? "I don't want to hear it now. I don't think his teammates want to hear this now. [Skip Bayless](https://www.foxsports.com/personalities/skip-bayless), however, thinks James is currently reaping what he sowed. "And I want to win and give myself a chance to win and still compete for championships. So we'll see what happens and see how fresh my mind stays over the next couple years." "I'm a winner, and I want to win," James said following the game. That would explain some of his remarks after the Lakers fell to 14-21 on the season.

LeBron James isn't happy with the state of the Los Angeles Lakers, but he can't be traded this season due to his contract extension.

[six months after signing an extension](https://twitter.com/BobbyMarks42/status/1559983270871408646), as noted by ESPN’s Bobby Marks after The King agreed to that new deal. That naturally leads some to the other end of the spectrum: What about trading LeBron James? After another ugly Lakers loss, this time to his former team, the Miami Heat, James made some pointed comments to the media that sounded like a cry for help.

Even if LeBron James and the Lakers wanted to find a trade for him after his most recent comments about wanting to play competitive basketball again, ...

4](https://auth.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-extension-answering-six-questions-you-need-to-know-as-lakers-star-nears-eligibility-for-new-deal/#:~:text=When%20does%20LeBron%20become%20extension-eligible%3F%20James%20can%20sign,two%20years%20after%20their%20last%20deal%20was%20ratified.)) he would have been trade-eligible this year. You can follow Harrison on Twitter at [@hmfaigen](https://twitter.com/hmfaigen). [per Spotrac](https://www.spotrac.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lebron-james-2257/), which die-hard NBA fans will recognize is nine days past the 2023 [NBA trade deadline](http://www.sbnation.com/nba-trade-rumors) ( [Feb. Whatever the reason(s), he chose to wait, and rest assured that he and his well-prepared reps at Klutch Sports knew all the potential pluses and minuses of that decision. [Los Angeles Lakers](https://www.silverscreenandroll.com) are in a bit of a crisis. [a string of recent front office subtweets](https://t.co/7uelNqLps5) definitely suggest he would prefer Rob Pelinka, Kurt Rambis and Co. When a veteran signs an extension, the size and length of the extension determine trade eligibility. Instead, the Lakers are actually restricted from trading James because of the date he signed his extension ( [Lakers](https://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/los-angeles-lakers) talk, subscribe to the Silver Screen and Roll podcast feed on [Apple Podcasts](https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Fpodcast%2Fsilver-screen-roll-for-los-angeles-lakers-fans%2Fid1439479212%3Fmt%3D2), [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/2XJK0kM4pR2uUy7WDmAybb?si=WZwWClvKRZeHeSTnuxdYrw), [Stitcher](https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/vox/silver-screen-and-rollcast) or [Google Podcasts](https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS9zaWx2ZXItc2NyZWVuLXJvbGw%3D). And, as Bleacher Report cap expert Eric Pincus explained in a post for Sports Business Classroom earlier this year outlining 9](https://www.nba.com/news/key-dates)). [who can and cannot be traded (and when) after an extension](https://www.sportsbusinessclassroom.com/who-can-be-traded-and-when-after-an-extension/), the NBA bylaws prevent James from being dealt this season as a result:

The Los Angeles Lakers are a bad basketball team and LeBron James is now playing victim when he is a big reason why they are bad in the first place.

As much as LeBron James complains, the fact of the matter is that a trade for Buddy Hield and Myles Turner wasn’t going to change the trajectory of this basketball team. That was a really talented roster that was hit with injuries at the wrong time. This is by no means a piece that is meant to defend Rob Pelinka and the job he has done. Trying to play the victim like he doesn’t have his imprint all over this roster is absurd. Look, there is no denying that the Los Angeles Lakers do not have a very talented roster and are playing bad basketball. The Lakers were already playing a shaky brand of basketball before

Since linking up with your Los Angeles Lakers, All-NBA forward LeBron James has led the team to its record-tying 17th NBA championship (his fourth), and.

[Bill Plaschke of The Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2022-12-29/plaschke-lebron-james-hints-wants-leave-lakers-should-let-him) thinks that James, and the team, should move on from each other, despite reaffirming their supposed mutual commitment during the offseason with a lucrative new extension. He is unable to be flipped this year, but could be moved at the official start of the 2023-24 season next summer. The 37-year-old (who turns 38 tomorrow) has been named to four of his 18 All-Star teams in Los Angeles, with a fifth seemingly inevitable barring injury.

As your 14-21 Los Angeles Lakers continue their depressing downward spiral with their oft-injured best player, Anthony Davis, injured again, LeBron James ...

Would James's outsized impact in the front office compelled any of these new teams into making "win-now" deals as disastrous as the Russell Westbrook trade he at the very least thought was a good idea last summer? [Yossi Gozlan of HoopsHype](https://hoopshype.com/lists/revisiting-lebron-james-2018-free-agency-was-there-a-better-choice-out-there/) takes a look back at the 18-time All-Star forward's options in free agency circa 2018, and wonders if it may have behooved him to join another club instead of Los Angeles. The Denver Nuggets, led by promising young center Nikola Jokic, were reportedly also angling for a meeting, though James never took one.

Hard to believe that LeBron James would end his career in Cleveland where he started, but that's just what could happen.

Hard to think they’d mortgage the team’s future for a year or two of James, regardless of his history with the franchise. The elder James can enter free agency in 2024, the same offseason in which his son could become draft-eligible. It’s probably a stretch to think he won’t wind down his career in Los Angeles, where he and his family make their off-season home. But that was not before he returned the Lakers to the playoffs and delivered their 17th NBA Championship in 2020. It’s no secret that the Lakers have struggled since the 2019-20 season, despite James putting up all-star-level numbers that would make a younger player blush. As it rests now, James will play in Los Angeles through the 2024-25 season and his 40th birthday.

The Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA Championship three seasons ago, but the front office has been abysmal in retooling their roster alongside generational ...

New Orleans may decide to wait for a superstar who will stay in their city for a minimum of five years and possibly build a consistent threat in the Western Conference. Imagine a team with LeBron James and Zion Williamson and the myriad of highlights on a nightly basis. The barometer they can utilize is how they acquired Kawhi Leonard from the San Antonio Spurs as they knew it was unlikely for him to stay with the Raptors for the long term. Another East coast team who can be in serious discussions for LeBron James if he indeed becomes available is the Toronto Raptors. The questionable moves of the front office have hindered their future because they only have a couple of first-round picks in the next seven years, meaning they will need to invest solely in trades and free-agent signing to bolster their roster. Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Kyle Lowry are not getting any younger, and the only individual with a bright future from their young nucleus is Tyler Herro.

ATLANTA — When LeBron James signed pen to paper in August, it seemed to be a sign that the Lakers would avoid a season of high drama.

[the Lakers were creamed in a road game against the Indiana Pacers](https://www.ocregister.com/2019/02/06/can-the-lakers-recover-if-they-dont-trade-for-anthony-davis/). Bryant never sniffed the playoffs during his final three seasons, embarking on a 17-win campaign in 2015-16 when injuries had taken a toll and the team was in a full rebuild. Elgin Baylor famously retired during the 1972 season when the Lakers went on to break through for the first L.A. While the Lakers have discussed internally the need to weigh the future of the franchise among its considerations, James’ production – in the midst of losing nine of their past 13 games – is a powerful argument that they should invest more in the present. Eagle-eyed social media trackers have noted that James deleted a tweet from the spring: “I can/will NOT miss the post season again for my career! A big bonus to playing out the year would be to get big contracts, especially Russell Westbrook’s $47 million, off their books to use in free agency. [When he signed his third contract extension with the Purple and Gold for two years and $97.1 million](https://www.ocregister.com/2022/08/17/lebron-james-agrees-to-2-year-extension-with-lakers-through-2025-per-report/), it was seen as an endorsement of the Lakers – [in spite of their two-year slide after their title-winning peak](https://www.ocregister.com/2022/08/03/what-lebron-james-is-weighing-with-possible-lakers-extension-looming/). The franchise – which has navigated the end of such storied playing careers as Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant – has to make tough decisions about James, in part because he’s so unusually competitive for his age. I’ll still be able to compete for championships because I know what I can still bring to any ball club with the right pieces.” Given that the Lakers extended James in August, they can’t trade him until next summer. But just a few months into the deal, a curious effect has taken hold: The Lakers (14-21) are now [a max-level deal with the franchise](https://www.ocregister.com/2018/07/01/lebron-james-agrees-to-4-year-154-million-contract-with-lakers/), then after winning a championship, he signed another two-year extension.

If the current conjecture rings true, LeBron James could make his final career appearance at Atlanta in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform when the team visits ...

The guys that were playing came out and played to win.” Atlanta and Los Angeles are meeting for the first time this season. “The thing for me is to stay consistent,” Okongwu said. “Sometimes I can go a little up and down. The injured trio accounts for 54.3 points on a team that averages 114.3. “I don’t want to finish my career playing at this level, from a team aspect,” James said. 17 overall) in 2013, played through left-foot soreness and scored 15 against the Heat. The Hawks played without three starters in Wednesday’s 108-107 loss to Brooklyn — leading scorer Trae Young (calf contusion), leading rebounder Clint Capela (calf strain) and De’Andre Hunter (ankle sprain). “Playing basketball at this level, just to be playing basketball, is not in my DNA. In 60 career games against Atlanta, he is averaging 27.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.3 assists. We’ll see what happens and see how fresh my mind stays over the next couple of years.” The Lakers are 14-21, marking the second-worst record for any of his teams through 35 games.

LeBron James might not be in a celebratory mood as he tries to find answers for the 14-21 Los Angeles Lakers, but fans are showering the future Hall of ...

pic.twitter.com/oqv6J2dhBH Among the notable accomplishments on James' resume are four NBA titles in 10 trips to the Finals. (2003)

pic.twitter.com/RRtQ6pVlLI [10 players](https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/how-many-players-have-played-20-seasons-or-more-in-the-nba) in NBA history who has played at least 20 seasons. If he doesn't miss time and maintains his scoring average this season, he will move into the top spot in February. 🔥 🔥 🔥

Happy birthday @KingJames, one of the greatest to ever touch a basketball court 👑

What's your favorite moment of LeBron's career? "I know as long as my mind stays in it, I can play at this level for a minute. My body is going to be OK because if my mind is into it, I will make sure my body is taken care of and I'll continue to put in the work." No one in that group played more than 22 seasons. Despite the Lakers' struggles, James is playing at a high level. They told LeBron James in HIGH SCHOOL, "if you're not a first ballot Hall of Famer, you're gonna be considered a bust." .@KingJames through the years as he celebrates his 38th birthday today 👑

(📽️ via @ari_fararooy) pic.twitter.com/AoeaYTnezA

'I don't want to finish my career playing at this level, from a team aspect,' says LeBron James as the Lakers skid to 14-21, the third-worst record in the ...

The Lakers and the Hawks are meeting for the first time this season. “I don’t want to finish my career playing at this level, from a team aspect,” James said. The Lakers are 14-21, marking the second-worst record for any of his teams through 35 games.

LeBron James is on the injury report for Friday's game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks.

In 2020, they won the NBA Championship, but they have also missed the postseason in two of his four seasons with the franchise. Over the last ten games, the Lakers have gone 4-6, and they are 6-13 in 19 games on the road. That said, the Lakers are currently the 13th seed in the Western Conference with a 14-21 record in 35 games.

LeBron James went into detail about his mental approach as he turns 38-years-old and looks to transform the Lakers into a playoff team.

The other vital step in keeping James will be convincing Lakers leadership that it’s better to build a championship culture, and team will create better results instead of trying to buy one and selling the farm for All-Star talent. “And I want to win and give myself a chance to win and still compete for championships. So, of course, we will do everything we can, picks included, to make deals to give us a chance to help LeBron get to the end,” Pelinka said. James’ Lakers tenure has been highlighted by winning his fourth title in 2020 and becoming the first player in League history to win a Finals MVP with three teams. My body is going to be OK because if my mind is into it, I will make sure my body is taken care of, and I’ll continue to put in the work.” “I’m a winner, and I want to win,” James said. Front office exec Rob Pelinka declared at Laker’s media day that it would be his duty to field a competitive team around James. The Lakeshow is reeling after making so much ground to get back to being a play-in tournament team. James led the Lakers in points (27), rebounds (nine), and assists (six) against the team that he played his best basketball for. Not to mention that he has a player option for that final year. “I know as long as my mind stays in it, I can play at this level for a minute. The King is hours away from turning 38 and is fully aware that he has more basketball behind him than ahead.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James said it's surprising to still be playing at this level of basketball.

The Lakers took a loss for the fifth time in their last six games, this time a blowout one to the Miami Heat on the road. It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more! Before the season he [spoke about what it would mean to break the record](https://lakersnation.com/lakers-news-lebron-james-says-breaking-all-time-scoring-record-a-huge-thing/2022/10/17/), but James’ consistent play may evolve into a more remarkable accomplishment. Very surprised still but still very humble to be able to like I said play the game that I love to play every night too.” The King has always been aware of his place in history. “I do know how much I put into the game and I know how much I put into my body and to my mind and all those things.

Is he as skeptical about his team's postseason chances as we are?

Los Angeles is currently on the outside of the Western Conference play-in tournament picture looking in, given that the 13th-seeded franchise is 3.5 games behind the 10th-seeded Golden State Warriors. Five of the team's next seven opponents through that period have records above .500 and will be tough to beat. Los Angeles has lost five of its last six games as it continues to lose ground without Davis, the club's best player.

Losers in six of their last 10 games, the Lakers stand at 14-21 on the season, placing them 13th in the Western Conference standings. They continue to be ...

Jan. 30 at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Hawks is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. - Time: 7:30 p.m. For games on NBA TV, subscribe to Sling Orange & Sports Extra for $51/month. Viewers can also stream the game on NBA League Pass or Sling TV. Hawks will air on NBA TV. [NBA League Pass](https://www.nba.com/watch/league-pass-stream?cid=nba:ilp:partner:affiliate:othaff:display:eg:acq:sub:t-gpm:Global20:global:u-en:) Which team will come away with the victory? It's not in my DNA anymore. That has always been my goal since I entered the league as an 18-year-old kid out of Akron, Ohio.

The 18-time (soon to be a record-tying 19-time) All-Star is in the midst of his fifth season with your Los Angeles Lakers, and were it not for his own ...

One of the greatest players in the history of the game, someone who could become the all-time GOAT before all is said and done, has chosen to join the league's glamor franchise. Back in LA, Lakers fans transformed the commemoration of that championship, in October 2020, to a celebration of Bryant, who had just passed in January of that year before the world went to hell in March. Barring said catastrophic injury, James is going to surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's regular season scoring record this year (although, as I've said many times, he already actually owns the all-time scoring record when you combine playoff and regular season points scored), but his team will almost certainly be among the West's worst at that point. Had Shaquille O'Neal retired a Laker, he would have numbered among these greats in the estimation of LA fans, but his 2004 trade diluted his appeal a bit for the Staples Center/Crypto.com Arena faithful. But even with those caveats, his output considering his age is completely unprecedented, and he remains handily one of the best 20-25 players in the league even in his NBA dotage. Beyond just his slight depreciation with age, his inferior supporting cast here has a lot to do with that, but still. His 29.7% represents the second-lowest long range rate of his career, though he is taking the second-most triples ever as he continues to adjust his shot diet in the name of self-preservation. It seems Lakers fans, who admittedly have been spoiled rotten with a lifetime's worth of Hall of Fame talent, appreciate James, but as a whole do not love him at the level of recent past legends Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The Chosen One should never play both nights of a back-to-back set again, nor should he play 35.7 minutes a night when 30 will do just fine. [believes](https://www.si.com/nba/lakers/news/time-for-lebron-james-to-embrace-load-management-ak1987) James probably should have a few more restrictions in place to preserve his body in year 20, despite this historic level of production. His general shooting efficiency has dipped, even as he is averaging his second-most shot attempts in his career. Through 27 games, the 6'9" combo forward is averaging 27.8 points on .498/.297/.752 shooting splits, 8.1 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.1 steals a night, in a whopping 35.7 minutes per.

As the Feb. 9 trade deadline draws near, LeBron James has made his stance clear: He wants the Lakers to make a trade and upgrade the roster.

He wants the Lakers to make a trade and upgrade the roster, to give him and Davis a legitimate shot to make noise in the postseason, almost certainly through the Play-In Tournament. He has committed through his 21st season, but he could push for a trade this summer —or the organization could pivot and trade him, though that is obviously less conceivable. Meanwhile, the Lakers are trying to properly balance their short- and long-term future. Now, the pressure is on them to either honor their commitment to building the best possible roster — even if it comes at the expense of the franchise’s future draft capital — or to play hardball and call James’ bluff. “When they look at who they’re going against, I’m still up there at the top of, ‘This is how we need to stop him or neutralize what he does,’ and things of that nature. James had a heavy hand in the Westbrook deal — a move that everyone has retroactively tried to wipe their hands clean from — and has signed off on a lot of the team’s previous moves. Being in business with James has almost always meant focusing on the now — not the later — and removing the long-term thoughtfulness that Pelinka noted. Their inactivity has looked worse in recent weeks as a quote from Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka at the team’s media day has resurfaced. 9 — at which point the Lakers could realistically be a half-dozen games (or more) out of the Play-In Tournament mix depending on Davis’ health. “And I want to win and give myself a chance to win and still compete for championships. James is slated to be a Laker through at least the 2023-24 season, with the opportunity to become a free agent during the 2024 offseason if he declines an estimated $50.6-million player option. “I think about the day-to-day of how we get better throughout the course of the season.

LeBron James has been upgraded to available for Friday's game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks.

They are in the middle of a two-game losing streak and are 4-6 in their last ten games. They are 4-6 in their last ten games and 6-13 in 19 games played on the road. [Los Angeles Lakers](https://www.si.com/nba/team/los-angeles-lakers) are taking on the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena in Georgia.

L.A. Times readers are in agreement that if LeBron James doesn't want to be playing meaningless games with the Lakers then he can leave the team.

A true leader and a humble athlete of uncommon ability, Ekeler stands as a remarkable role model, a beacon of positivity and an exemplar of what determination can reap. He got inside and was eventually kicked out. But are public relations all that matter on the other side of the question? As far as I can tell, in the court of law, Trevor Bauer is innocent. It’s bad enough they couldn’t nail down a deal with Justin Turner, winner of the Roberto Clemente Award last season. Like Jerry Buss, Steve Balmer doesn’t pretend to be a basketball genius. We are also approaching the 10th anniversary of the slow and steady demise of a once great sport franchise. The plan is not working and puts us further and further from championship contention as every year passes. [Anthony Davis](https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2022-12-23/lakers-anthony-davis-out-indefinitely-stress-injury-right-foot) and [Russell Westbrook](https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2022-10-28/lakers-planning-to-play-russell-westbrook-off-the-bench) on the team. Yet it is his turnovers, no defense, and poor shot selection that is hurting the team. :: Simply put, “Rebuild without him” is not only the right answer, it is the only answer.

James had 22 points, 10 rebounds and four assists on 45% shooting from the field. He was the game's leading scorer, but couldn't will Cleveland to victory in ...

In his career on December 30, he's averaging 32.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game. 8 spot on this list in 2003, and the No. In just the fourth game of the season due to the NBA lockout, LeBron's Heat beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 103-101, thanks in large part to the play of James. However, the Cavs were outmatched that night, as they lost 104-95, in LeBron's worst career birthday loss. His final one comes in at No. LeBron's 2006 performance against the Chicago Bulls was the second-worst birthday loss of his career — but it definitely wasn't his fault. His Heat narrowly won 97-94, and, yet again, James led his team in scoring. LeBron's Cavs lost a close one to the Utah Jazz in 2017, 104-101. James was his team's leading scorer, and this was by far his largest birthday win. LeBron James' first birthday game came in his rookie year in Cleveland in 2003. No. The Lakers are getting set to play the Atlanta Hawks on a very special day — the birthday of their superstar LeBron James.

Tonight at 4:30 p.m. PT, your Los Angeles Lakers' road trip continues tonight against Trae Young, Dejounte Murray and the rest of the new-look Atlanta Hawks ...

For the season, he is averaging 8.1 boards and 6.6 dimes (a combined 14.7). The listed line for LBJ to clear here is 14.5 combined boards and dishes. So this category is a bit of a push. Take the over (sorry LeBron). Though his three-point shooting this year has been positively Westbrookian (29.7%), he takes a high-volume 6.9 tries from long range per contest. The 38-year-old will be looking to shrug off his advanced age and score more than his projected over/under of 30.5 points.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks face off in L.A.'s continued road trip on LeBron James' 38th birthday.

However, the Lakers have been an abysmal road team (6-13) while the Hawks have performed well in Atlanta. It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more! Defensively, the Lakers must rely on some combination of Austin Reaves, Patrick Beverley and Dennis Schroder to defend Young and Murray. Okongwu is likely to start at center in place of Capela, and he and Thomas Bryant should make for an interesting battle of strengths. However, he needs some more help if the Lakers are going to steal a road win in Atlanta. They also have a bit of a depth issue, but players like John Collins, Hunter, and Bogdan Bogdanovic make up a solid core.

He's perfectly justified in that frustration. James signed a contract extension with the Lakers over the summer. What was or wasn't promised in those ...

[Jimmy Butler](/nba/players/1646703/jimmy-butler/) remains a major injury risk, and [Kyle Lowry](/nba/players/1113164/kyle-lowry/) just isn't the player he used to be anymore. [Philadelphia 76ers](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/PHI/philadelphia-76ers/): [Tyrese Maxey](/nba/players/3142479/tyrese-maxey/) and [Tobias Harris](/nba/players/1780830/tobias-harris/) for James is one of the easier deals to build on the board. In 2021, [he said](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/pat-riley-open-to-welcoming-lebron-james-back-to-heat-i-would-leave-the-key-under-the-doormat/) that there's a "key under the mat" for James if he ever wants to use it. The Warriors would probably prefer to keep them and build a trade around draft picks, [Jonathan Kuminga](/nba/players/26602407/jonathan-kuminga/) and/or [James Wiseman](/nba/players/3142271/james-wiseman/). [Kevin Durant](/nba/players/1231866/kevin-durant/) and [Kyrie Irving](/nba/players/1779901/kyrie-irving/) could win the championship here and now. [Golden State Warriors](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/GS/golden-state-warriors/): Hey, speaking of quotes launching rumors, James wasn't even a little subtle in April when he said that [Stephen Curry](/nba/players/1685204/stephen-curry/) [would be the player](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQTpaxnLiSw&t=65s&ab_channel=UNINTERRUPTED) in today's league with whom he'd most want to play. [Milwaukee Bucks](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/MIL/milwaukee-bucks/): Would the Bucks sign-and-trade [Khris Middleton](/nba/players/1992813/khris-middleton/) for LeBron James? The Lakers are gearing up to [duck the repeater tax](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/how-the-repeater-tax-looms-over-lakers-failure-to-trade-russell-westbrook/). [Desmond Bane's](/nba/players/2268516/desmond-bane/) shooting would be welcome, and James could function as more of a cutter while picking his spots next to [Ja Morant](/nba/players/2892772/ja-morant/). [Atlanta Hawks](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/ATL/atlanta-hawks/): If James doesn't want to play point guard anymore, [Trae Young](/nba/players/2938032/trae-young/) is his ideal teammate. [Minnesota Timberwolves](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/MIN/minnesota-timberwolves/): The market is less desirable than Sacramento, but Klutch client [Anthony Edwards](/nba/players/3141406/anthony-edwards/) would likely appeal to James quite a bit as a teammate. [Portland Trail Blazers](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/POR/portland-trail-blazers/): We know James wanted to play with [Damian Lillard](/nba/players/1992810/damian-lillard/) because Lillard [has detailed](https://www.theringer.com/nba/2022/10/12/23399283/damian-lillard-portland-trail-blazers) LeBron's recruiting pitch on the record.