Carmelo Anthony on LeBron James Rumors: 'If He Wanna Get Traded, He'll Get Traded'

Former NBA star Carmelo Anthony believes LeBron James holds all of the cards when it comes to his status with the Los Angeles Lakers.

On his 7PM in Brooklyn show, Anthony asserted that James "makes the trades" so "if he wanna get traded, he'll get traded." The 10-time All-Star added, however, he thinks the ship has sailed on LeBron forcing an exit out of L.A.

To Anthony's point, James has afforded the Lakers more patience than he granted the Cleveland Cavaliers or Miami Heat.

During his first run in Cleveland, the four-time MVP signed an extension with the Cavs in 2006 for two fewer seasons than he could've gotten on a max deal. Then with both the Cavaliers the second time around and the Miami Heat, he bolted on the heels of an NBA Finals run because he sensed greener pastures elsewhere.

In Los Angeles, on the other hand, James has stayed despite the Lakers failing to return to the heights they reached during their 2020 championship run. They've twice missed the postseason entirely in the six years he's been there.

It doesn't look like they're any closer to a title now than they were in recent seasons.

Beyond the fact the 39-year-old could've left multiple times in free agency already, he reportedly showed no interest in a trade to the Golden State Warriors ahead of the 2024 trade deadline.

The "LeGM" narrative that has long surrounded James is overplayed. He's not directly pulling the strings in terms of his team's personnel moves.

Especially at this point in his career, LeBron does have enough influence to call his shot. What happened with the Warriors' trade pursuit illustrated that.

That James hasn't exercised that power and explicitly requested a trade speaks volumes.