Despite rumors, the Los Angeles Lakers would never trade LeBron James unless he or Rich Paul asked to be transferred to a specific team.
Speculation ran wild after James posted a cryptic emoji earlier in the week. There was virtually no chance, however, that the Los Angeles front office would trade King.
Less than a week before the trade deadline, Rich Paul, LeBron’s longtime Lakers agent, put those rumors to rest by confirming to Brian Windhorst that such a request will not happen (via ESPN):
“LeBron will not be traded and we are not asking for it.”, Paul said in response to growing speculation about James’ future.
Perhaps it is unusual to hear an agent declare that his client will not be traded, but James and Klutch Sports have enough power within the franchise that this probably puts an end to the rumors.
Although a trade seemed out of the question, it was not entirely far-fetched to think that James was frustrated with the Lakers’ level of performance this season.
For what it’s worth: James has a player option in his contract that would allow him to become a free agent at the end of the season. He has made it clear that his goal is to play with his son Bronny once the USC freshman turns pro.
.entry-footer –>
