The latest Los Angeles Lakers rumors have exposed some old thoughts Jeanie Buss had about LeBron James. Not only did she individually float the idea of not giving James an extension, but she also quietly considered the idea of trading him, with the LA Clippers as a potential destination:
“In 2022, in the aftermath of the Westbrook trade, multiple people said Jeanie privately mused about not giving James a contract extension and, later that year, even about trading James, with the LA Clippers floated as a possibility,” wrote Baxter Holmes of ESPN. “(This was before James received a no-trade clause in July 2024 after signing a new two-year, $104 million contract.) And when the Lakers drafted James' son Bronny with the 55th pick in the 2024 draft, Jeanie privately remarked that James should be grateful for such a gesture, but she felt that he wasn't, people close to the team told ESPN.
“That summer, as she discussed a new contract for James, Jeanie seemed more resigned to the fact that they'd have to do it -- almost begrudgingly accepting that they'd take a massive PR hit by not doing so.”
Maybe the Lakers should have traded LeBron James
There are a few different ways to look at this rumor. One is by taking the side of James—he won a championship for the organization, so shouldn’t Buss be a bit more respectful?
The other is taking a different view of things: If Buss had decided to trade James or not give him an extension, the Lakers could be in a much better spot as a franchise right now.
Obviously, there are a lot of factors that go into that stance. What if that meant they didn’t sign Austin Reaves? What if that meant they didn’t make the trade for Luka Doncic?
But for the sake of the argument, let’s just imagine that Rob Pelinka still managed to make both of those moves happen. Then, in reality, wouldn’t it have been better for LA to have all of the assets they could have gotten for James rather than James himself?
Realistically, trading James a few years ago could have netted a solid package. LA could have gotten some solid draft capital and probably an impact player or two.
All the while, they wouldn’t have to worry about James’ massive contract, which is only getting worse by the year as he gets older and older.
Did James win a title for the franchise? Yes. But he also led them straight into the initial Russell Westbrook trade. He’s also spoken out publicly through his agent, Rich Paul, about effectively forcing the Lakers to bend to his demands.
And ever since The Bubble, James has only made it out of the first round one time.
LeBron James is LeBron James. But considering everything, including the Doncic trade and Reaves signing (which are big “ifs”), the Lakers could be in a better spot right now, especially for the future, if Buss had acted on her “insane” impulses.