NBA Exec: LeBron James Rumors 'Not Even a Discussion' Due to Lakers No-Trade Clause

Despite new rumblings that the Golden State Warriors will at least keep an eye on LeBron James' status amid the recent struggles of the Los Angeles Lakers, there's no indication the four-time MVP wants to go anywhere.

Per ESPN's Brian Windhorst, one NBA executive said "it's not even a discussion" about James being dealt because of the full no-trade clause in his contract.

"The Lakers or any team who might want to trade for him don't really have any say in the matter," the executive told Windhorst. "He's got a no-trade clause. Unless he goes in and tells [owner] Jeanie [Buss] he wants to leave, it's not even a discussion."

Windhorst revealed on Wednesday's episode of Get Up that the Warriors were "definitely" monitoring things with James and the Lakers if he were to request a trade, though he did add that James was not looking to go anywhere else.

Nothing about the way James has operated since he originally joined the Lakers as a free agent in the summer of 2018 suggests he wants to end his career anywhere outside of Los Angeles.

When James originally picked the Lakers, they weren't an obvious landing spot for him beyond the marquee value of the franchise. They were coming off five consecutive losing seasons and had three different head coaches during that span.

The front office was able to build a championship team in James' second season, primarily by acquiring Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans. They have also been a playoff team in each of the past two seasons, but they've hovered around the 7-10 range in the Western Conference standings.

James signed a new two-year, $101.4 million deal with the Lakers during the offseason. The contract included a full no-trade clause, giving him veto power over any potential move if the Lakers even wanted to move him.

The Lakers also further endeared themselves to LeBron by selecting Bronny James in the second round of the 2024 NBA draft.

If things were to get so bad for the Lakers that James decided he needed a change of scenery in an attempt to win at least one more title before the end of his career, then it's plausible he could approach them about a move.

There's no indication they are at that point yet. The Lakers have lost seven of their last nine games after a 10-4 start to fall to eighth in the Western Conference standings.

James, who has been away from the team since Wednesday for personal reasons, is averaging 23.0 points, 9.1 assists and 8.0 rebounds per game in 23 starts. He is expected to miss Friday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a foot injury but could return Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies.