Windhorst Talks LeBron-Lakers Trade, 'I Cannot Responsibly Say There's No Chance'

While many initially felt the Los Angeles Lakers trading star forward LeBron James would be out of the question, one expert now feels the door is beginning to open for his eventual departure from Hollywood.

During a radio appearance on ESPN Cleveland, ESPN's Brian Windhorst said he's learned over the last few days that trading James isn't out of the realm of possibility for the Lakers.

"I would have said four days ago when LeBron opted into his contract, I would have said there was no chance of him getting traded. At the time, I just didn't think so," Windhorst said (h/t RealGM). "After having conversations over the last three or four days, I'm no longer saying there is no chance. I am not saying it's likely, but I cannot responsibly say there's no chance anymore."

After James picked up his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season on Sunday, his agent, Rich Paul, told ESPN's Shams Charania that the 40-year-old "will be closely monitoring the Lakers' moves and whether the team is positioning itself this offseason to field a title-contending roster." That mandate has fueled rampant speculation that James could force his way out of Los Angeles, and he can control his own destiny thanks to his no-trade clause.

"I would say that's uncertain," Windhorst said when asked if James would finish his career with the Lakers. "One thing I feel pretty good about today, although things can pivot, is LeBron's time with the Lakers is beginning to come to an end. They are beginning to move apart."

Windhorst noted that James "was not in on" the Lakers' plans to acquire star guard Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks and was "shocked" that they traded star forward Anthony Davis in that deal. He added that the acquisition of Dončić "was a move away from LeBron as the center of the team."

It would be a massive surprise if James and the Lakers part ways before he ends his legendary career, but as he tries to earn a fifth NBA championship before his retirement, he may have to leave Los Angeles to achieve that goal.

"The beginning of LeBron's departure from the Lakers has begun," Windhorst said. "That departure could be into retirement. That departure could be another. But another way is on the table. I don't know how it's going to play out."