Lakers Can Offer LeBron James True No-Trade Clause This Summer

According to NBA insiders Bobby Marks and Dave McMenamin of ESPN, the Los Angeles Lakers can offer LeBron James a true no-trade clause this summer. 

LeBron can become an unrestricted free agent this offseason if he declines his 2024-25 player option with the Lakers worth $51.4 million.

“The Lakers can also offer something no team can — a true no-trade clause,” Marks and McMenamin wrote. “Players are only eligible to negotiate a no-trade clause if they’ve been in the league for at least eight years and have played four years for the team offering the contract. No-trade clauses can’t be added to extensions, which is why James wasn’t eligible to add one when he signed his latest extension in 2022.”

LeBron joined the Lakers in the summer of 2018. The four-time MVP signed a four-year, $153 million contract.

The Akron Hammer then signed a two-year, $85 million extension in December 2020 after leading the Lakers to the 2020 championship at the Walt Disney World bubble. 

In August 2022, LeBron signed a two-year, $99 million extension with the Lakers, who “strongly prefer” The Chosen One retire with them, according to NBA reporter Sam Amick of The Athletic. 

If LeBron picks up his 2024-25 player option this summer, he would be eligible to sign a two-year, $112 million extension with the Lakers starting on August 18. It’s unknown what The King plans to do this offseason. 

LeBron is averaging 25.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 7.9 assists this season while shooting 52.7% from the field, 40.7% from beyond the arc and 73.2% from the free-throw line. The Lakers are in ninth place in the Western Conference standings. 

LeBron wants to play with his son, Bronny, in the NBA. Bronny is eligible to declare for the 2024 draft.

LeBron can decline his 2024-25 player option with the Lakers and sign with the team Bronny gets drafted by.