Shaq talks about everything related to the NBA and the sale of Los Angeles Lakers
Shaq stops to chat with USA Today Sports about All Things NBA and to discuss a project with Icy Hot and the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation.
Sports seriously
The wait is that the NBA LeBron James superstar begins the 2025-26 season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
But is it the team with which he ends the season? If he starts the season with the Lakers, could it be moved to the deadline for trade?
James had a usual off -season – for the first time in his career, the team for which he played was not claimed for his return or engaging beyond next season. He is 40 years old, so in theory that makes sense. But he is not your man typical 40 years old who clings to a career.
He was an All-NBA performer in 2024-25.
These are unusual moments in the NBA while the teams navigate in a restrictive and punitive ABC and provide for a future – a future which, sooner or later, does not include James. His recent foray into the golf course suggests that retirement could be more than before.
But, as his agent and CEO of Klutch Sports said, Rich Paul, James always wants to compete for a title. So his playing days are not over. It’s just for whom he will play who is at the top of the NBA discussion.
How would LeBron James work work?
Many will depend on the form that the 2025-26 season has for the Lakers and all the other potential destinations of James. If Los Angeles is struggling, he could choose to become sellers before the commercial deadline of February 2026 while the Lakers plan to build a future around Luka Dončić. However, because James has a non-exchange clause in his contract, the team should adapt and respond to the wishes of James.
James, however, was a player who, historically, fiercely protected his own interests. And if at some point, he considers the Lakers as a faulty operation, he could be the only one to ask for a job.
In this case, because James wears this clause without exchange, the Lakers would then ask James a short list of favorite destinations where he would give up the non-exchange clause. Once the list of favorite destinations – which could theoretically be just a single team – is established, the Lakers would then enter possible negotiations with these teams. If the terms favorable to the two parties have agreed, James would be on the way.
However, there are two very important things to note. James is undoubtedly the most calculated player in the history of the NBA. Aware of what a trade would mean for his inheritance, James would make the decision to ask for a job only if that improved his chances of winning another title and if he could advance his inheritance and his agenda. It is logical to assume that Bronny James, his son and teammate in Los Angeles, would also be part of any agreement.
It is also important to note that Lakers have no obligation to exchange James. Although they can want to do good by him, given his power and stature in the NBA, the priority for Los Angeles is to advance his own interests for the future.
Possible LeBron James Trade adjustment
Dallas Mavericks
It would be an interesting twinning in that James would join a pair of former high -level teammates from Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving (who should miss a certain time when he recovers with a torn anterior cross ligament). It also presents an excellent chance for the overall selection n ° 1 of Cooper Flagg to join one of the great games of all the games. The Mavericks should be creative with their list of list to make it work, but – assuming that health – adding James would make MAVs an interesting team in a very crowded Western conference.
Miami Heat
During an Instagram video live in February 2024, a fan asked James if he had missed Miami. James’ wife Savannah James – who was out of camera – said “yes” and then added “I miss the city”. And although there was information according to which James had disagreements with Heat Erik Spoelstra coach during his stay with the team, the two worked in close collaboration with the American team and all tensions seem to have rested. Some of James’ best seasons came to Miami on Spoelstra, who encouraged James to become a distributor. Now, alongside Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Norman Powell, the heat would have a much necessary offense with James.
New York Knicks
Of all the options, it could be the most different. The Knicks, however, would satisfy James to play in a massive market. And in New York, James would find coach Mike Brown, who led James to Cleveland from 2005 to 2000. James would also bring leadership and basketball QI to a team that made its first conference championship in 25 seasons. In a large open East, James could be the piece that puts the Knicks above.
Los Angeles Clippers
For this one, the James family would not move at all far. They have built their lives in Los Angeles, and playing games in Intuit Dome would offer a little comfort and familiarity. On the ground, there would also be a lot of familiarity; Clipper coach Tyronn Lue was the Riders Coach when James and Cleveland won the 2016 NBA final. And, when associated with James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers would have three stars – although at twilight of their career – which would make the offensive of the difficult to stop, especially in the clutch.
Golden State Warriors
LeBron and Steph. Steph and LeBron. We had a taste of this twinning at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and it would be entertaining to see these two try to bring another title Golden State. THE Warriors made their calendar to win another title with the Curry contract, which takes place until 2026-27. LeBron James and Bronny James for Jimmy Butler?
Cleveland riders
Finish his career where he started and where he led the riders to their only NBA championship is a stories book. Perhaps not the same Hollywood tale as to end your career in Los Angeles, but it is always a fascinating cinematographic arc. This, however, is also complicated given the trajectory of Cleveland with the current list and which he would have to abandon so that this business works for a season or two with James. Do the Cavs want this? Does James?
Los Angeles Lakers
Currently, you understand the difficulties of exchanging James, and if the Lakers still want to compete for a championship in the spring of 2026, having James is better than not having James. But that may not be their goal either. Maybe they would like to accelerate their chronology in the future without James. However, the Lakers do not control this because of the clause without exchange of James. The most logical scenario for both parties is to play the season with James and Dončić and see what is going on, and to reassess where everyone wants to be next summer.
LeBron James’ possible professions
Pull the commercial machine!
Using the model on spotrac.com, here are some potential frameworks for transactions that would work, at least in financial terms. But the fact remains that James’ trade and his salary would be complicated and would have complex wage ceiling machinations – with the inclusion of a third or fourth possible team.
LeBron James in Clippers
Lakers acquire
- A second round choice of 2026
- Derrick Jones Jr.
- Bogdan Bogdanovic
- Ivica Zubac
- Noah Clowney
Clippers acquires
- LeBron James
- Bonny James
- Dariq Whitehead
Nets acquire
- A selection of first round in 2027 of the Clippers
- Shake Milton
- Dunn crisis
LeBron James in Warriors
Lakers acquire
Warriors acquire
LeBron James in heat
Lakers acquire
- A first round choice in 2027
- An exchange of first round choice in 2029
- Andrew Wiggins
- Nikola Jovic
- Terry Rozier
Heat acquires
- LeBron James
- Bonny James
- Dalton Knecht
